Rev. Dr. William Smalls

Rev. Dr. William Smalls, a beloved and devoted servant of God, and was born on March 9, 1933 to the late Jane and Tommy Smith, and raised by his Aunt Lena Smalls. He received his early education in the Prescott South Carolina school system. He joined Saint James Methodist church at the age of 12. Rev Smalls was employee by the City of White Plains for 33 years. as foreman in the department of sanitation, the building maintenance department, breaking a barrier by becoming the first black employee and supervisor. He was instrumental in establishing a union for all White Plains City workers, which still exists today. He met and married Jessie Scott. Through this union they had 3 children, Sandra, Jacqueline and William Smalls. They joined the Mt. Hope AME Zion Church under the pastorate of the Late Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Gullette. Rev. Smalls received his call into the ministry, and preached his trial sermon on September 24, 1974. He received his first ordination In June 1977 from Bishop Herbert Shaw at Mount Hope AME Zion. His second ordination was from also Bishop Shaw on June 16, two years later at Mother Zion church in Harlem NY. He graduated from union temple Theological Center; received a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan Bible institute, NYC. He also attended the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources. Bishop Shaw appointed Rev Smalls to Pastor St Thomas AME Zion, Haverstraw NY in 1978.

In June 1982 Bishop William Smith assigned him to St. James AME Zion Church, Beacon NY. June 1985, he was assigned as Pastor to Franklin Street AME Zion Church, Kingston NY. June 23, 1989, Bishop Smith assigned him to Naomi AME Zion Church, Coney Island NY. Through his work for the Lord, he has received numerous citations, awards from local, state and federal level. He was instrumental in saving the Coney Island hospital from closing, he organized the minister’s alliance network of local ministers, worked on cleaning up drug infested areas, and at the same time he received an honoree doctorate degree. Oct. 10, 1980, he married Anna Schofield of White Plains NY. And from this union, he gain two sons Bishop Jerome Edgerton and Isaiah Charles Schofield. The sage, as he was often called, was a proud member of the AME Zion church as a member on the board of trustees, steward board, class leader, and was a very popular bible study teacher. He was avid fan of the Mets and WWF wrestling. Family was near and dear to his heart, he never missed a family reunion until this year. He was considered the family historian by many; as a descendent of Robert Smalls, his uncle, who was a civil war hero and became the 1st black congressman of the House of Representatives. Rev Smalls held an unwavering faith in God and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he went, even on his sick bed. He was loved by all and a respected Elder. He was a mentor to many ministers in Zion and his spiritual children are too numerous to count spanning all over the United States. Rev Smalls was preceded in death by his first wife Jessie Mae Scott- Smalls, his only son William Bubbie Smalls, his brother Douglas Perry, his sister Vivian Baker, and second wife, Anna Edgerton-Smalls, and stepson, Bishop Jerome Edgerton. He leaves to cherish fond memories, his daughters, Sandra Barbry, Jacqueline Smalls, and Sharon Smalls-Williams. Eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts. & spiritual children and friends. In his final day, he often spoke of being ready to see his Jesus and was waiting on God to take him home. He shared visions and vivid dreams of Jesus taking him up to heaven and showing him the chair he will sit in.

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ATTENTION: During the continuing various health concerns, please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Wake/Visitation/Viewing will be held on Wednesday July 29th 2026, from 11:00-11:45AM, followed by Funeral Service at 12:00PM all at St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church in New Rochelle. So you may come to the Church to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen -OR- you may bring an address label to paste in register book in lieu of signing). Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, Please Kindly Respectfully leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that Rev. Smalls & Family entrusted his care & the care of their loved one to us, and that he & they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Family of Rev. Smalls during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in his honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Please feel free to come to the church wearing a mask, & feel free to wear a mask inside the church &/or at cemetery if you choose, and social distance as much as possible. If you know you have and/or are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19/Measles; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to any facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing -OR- you may bring an address label to paste in register book in lieu of signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church, and directions of the funeral home staff and/or church & cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following accordingly to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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You may send flowers, and/or as a lasting tribute, you may choose to plant a tree in his name/memory/honor as another form of condolence. If sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Tuesday July 28th, 2026 by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Wednesday July 29th, 2026 by/before 10:45AM to St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church in New Rochelle. The Family Thanks You!