Minister Jerome Smalls
July 2, 1967 - November 1, 2024
Minister Jerome Smalls, age 57, transitioned to be with his heavenly father on Friday, November 1, 2024, at his residence in New Castle, DE.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 2, 1967, he was a son of the late Ola Bell “Sister” Smalls Green (Sam) of PA and Floyd Giles (Patricia) of VA. Jerome attended Strawberry Mansion High School and in 10th grade (Class of ‘85) he left Mansion to attend Performing Arts. While he was a class clown and in the drama club, he would act up in some of his favorite teacher’s classes but all they had to do was threaten to call his mom and he would get himself together with a quickness. Jerome studied real estate and business at Pennsylvania State University, Class of 1990. He received his master’s degree in theology at Lancaster Theology Seminary.
Jerome worked at the University of Pennsylvania as an administrator of real estate services for over 25 years. He was a member of Empowering Word Ministries of Philadelphia, PA.
In addition to his parents, Jerome was preceded in death by his grandparents who he called momma and daddy, Henry and Lizzie Lee Smalls; one brother, LaRon Smith; one sister, Edna Martin; and two aunts, Deborah Lundy of NJ, and Linda Green of SC.
Jerome was a devoted father who loved his sons and leaves to cherish fond memories, Jarius and Christian Smalls of the home New Castle, DE; sisters, Tonya Giles of NC, Mellissia Hunt (Donnell) of VA, Deborah Finney (Von) of VA; aunts and uncles, Arnold of VA, Lee Lundy of NJ, Henry Smalls (Annie) of CT, Elizabeth Nelson, Special Aunt Barbara Ann Smalls of CT, Lannie Bradley (Tommy) of SC, Annette Russell of SC, and Jeannette Void of SC. Jerome, Annette, Jeannette, Sharon and Henry Jr. spent their summers together, he considered Annette and Jeannette like his sisters instead of his aunts. He is also survived by his special cousin, Anthony Mohammed (Linda) of PA; and special friends, Keith Stacie of New Castle, DE, and Tracie Tucker Viskinda of Philadelphia, PA.
Interment will be held privately in Gracelawn Memorial Park. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Jerome’s final words to his sons
To My sons, never feel that you are alone. No matter how near or far a part, I am always right there in your heart. Just believe in yourself and remember you only fail when you stop trying. Never forget that whatever you go through no matter what, I will always love you.
Dad
Terrel Boyd
I extend my condolences to the entire Smalls Family ,especially Jarius, Christian and Keith. Words can’t express how much I will miss you Jerome. You have been very supportive to me over the years and I will have many memories especially our 50th birthdays in which I celebrate with you in Delaware and you celebrated with me in Jamaica for my 50th birthday. I will continue to pray for your sons. This is hard since I lost my mom 2 months ago. But you are no longer suffering and one day I know I will see you and my mom again on the other side. Rest in the arms of Jesus and out Heavenly Father my brother. I love you. T. Boyd
Johnny Davis
My condolences
To the Smalls family
Racheal Nanbal Walshak
As much as I have tried to be at peace, the reality still remains that I am broken inside 😭
Am consoled with the fact that at last you are finally get to experience the purest form of love you longed for.
Keep resting daddy Jaylove till we unite again.
Your spiritual Daughter and Birthday mate ❣️💔
Jennifer
Elder you are already missed so much! I will keep your final message of love tucked close to my heart as you were not only a man of words but a man of actions.
Mwat Asedeh
He was a friend and brother.
Calm and generous with his time and resources.
He will be missed but his impact will not. May we all be comforted.
My sincere condolences to his family
Lena Tyson
My friend Elder Jerome Smalls, I thank God for the time He gave us to share our love with one another. I enjoyed our visits, talks, laughter, and sometime even a few tears. Loving you was easy my friend and you will be truly missed. Rest well in your mansion.❤️👍🏾🙏🏾👏🏾🥰
Lena Tyson
My friend Elder Jerome Smalls, I’m thanking God for the time He gave to us to share love with one another. Our visits, talks, laughter, and sometimes even tears. You will truly be missed, I will hold onto the moments and the memories shared with you. My prayers are with your sons and family. Rest well in your mansion my son.❤️👏🏾🙏🏾🥰
Dr. Chynaah Maryoung-Cooke
My dearest brother, Elder Jerome aka Jay Love. You will always be one of the greatest parts of me. We started together at Discovery Day and we reasoned together, laughed and cried together. We sang together, prayed and played and celebrated together and you beat EVERYONE at the jigsaw puzzles. I think Mwat was a close second. You always made sure I was ok like a big brother should and I’ll never forget you for that. You saw the real me and I saw the real you. We would share our dreams and goals and discuss actionable steps toward those goals and you always helped me to keep things in perspective. I love you so much and will deeply miss you. I cherish our memories and our wonderful times together at LTS, at TFAM with our God Mother Reverend Janice Sommerville and oh I can’t forget the exquisite 50th birthday you treated me to in Virginia Beach. You said that when I got my doctorate we would make a plan to travel to Africa and minister and share the Vision of Ubuntu. It’s so ironic brother that I successfully defended on Oct 29th and was invited to Africa the next day only to hear that you passed November 1. Brother I can only think that your prayers were answered and God heard and you continue to be the wind beneath my wings.
To Jarius, Christian, Keith and the entire Smalls family please know that you are surrounded by prayer and please know that the Lancaster Theological Seminary Community deeply loves your dad and is available should you need anything.
Heartfelt sentiment,
Chynaah Maryoung-Cooke, LTS class of 2021
LTS Library Associate of Circulation, Archives & Outreach
Racheal Walshak, Nanbal Walshak, Victory, Victor Jos Nigeria
As much as I have tried to be at peace, the reality still remains that I am broken inside 😭
Am consoled with the fact that at last you are finally get to experience the purest form of love you longed for.
Keep resting daddy Jaylove till we unite again. Your grandkids regret not meeting you Victor and Victory will always know your name. Nanbal and I will never cease to prayer and lift up your family.
Your Spiritual Daughter and Birthday mate Racheal Walshak in Jos Nigeria ❣
Bishop& Co-Pastor Hinton
We love Minister Smalls. He always knew, what to do when it came, to legal matters. He will be sadly missed, to all that knew him. Jarius and Christian you have our condolences. We are here for you!!
Tracie Tucker
Romee, 44 years we have laughed, talked, cried, shouldered, weathered, sung, travelled, prayed, worshipped, cut up, gave each other the “look” but most of all we loved with our whole hearts. All my memories have you and now my heart hurts but my soul rejoices that in this life I had you. For that I am grateful. Praying to God for strength to make it through and be there for your kids. I miss you is too small. I will see you again and the kids and grands send their love. Keith, Jarius and Christian…may the God of all comfort be with us in this time of great loss. To the family, it is well.
Carolyn
Sending dearest condolences to the family of my Penn State classmate and UCJC alumna. It’s been years since I’ve seen you, but I got glimpses into your life from folks with whom we went to school and church, decades ago. Your passing wounds me. As it should. No matter how much time passes, I am tethered to each member of that UCJC class. And I will always be. Rest, sir. Rest well.
Velma Mckenzie
My condolences goes out to the family. May God love and grace cover the family during this time.
Ms. T. A.
Rest my friend
Trina C Muhammad
My sincerest sympathy to the family. Jerome wa a great man and alway good for a great laugh. He truly influenced my young adult life and was a great friend. To his sons please hold on to your memories and know He love you very much.
SHAAKIRAH Trina Pollard Muhammad
Tina Cromer
My condolences to your family. I have fond memories of you in State College, PA. Your joyous and lighthearted spirit is what I remember most. You truly brought joy and laughter. What a funny guy you were. R.I.P. 💜
Rita and dave carson
Our deepest condolences to the family. God bless you. A life well lived.
Alicia Session
To Jared & Christian,
May God Bless you both through the hard days ahead. Although he has transitioned he’ll always be with us.
No matter what happens in the days to come, remember that God has a plan for your lives. With much Love,
The Session-Macey Family.
Cass Johnson
To the facility of Jerome, I pray for your hearts and spirits to be filled with more joy than pain. Joy knowing that you were blessed to have shared in Jerome’s life with him, and he to share with you in yours. I graduated from CAPA with Jerome, and even though I’ve only bumped into him a few times over the years, he has always been the living, Godly man that he was a a teen. Certainly one who will be missed. Farewell Jerome. See you on the streets of gold one day.
Brian McDonald
Dear Family,
May God shine his eternal light upon all of you; Jerome was a man living his life through purpose and meaning.
Brian McDonald, Ph.D.
LOUVENIA MCDOUGALD
Jerome, my brother and friend! Thank you for being one of the reasons I made it to my senior year of seminary at LTS. Thank you for planting the seeds of peace and courage within me when I was afraid! Thank you for exhibiting your faith in God as an example to others when we wanted to give up, and you accepted none of our excuses. I wish I could talk to you again, laugh with you, and sing with you and Chynaah like we used to do at the library. I have no doubt you are singing in the heavenly choir. Please pray for me, and to God be the glory! Dear One, you have transitioned from Earth to reward! Whenever I think of a two-step hypothesis, you will come to mind. Thanks for making it plain!
Kevin Tarkenton
Jerome was a very good boy in his youth. I didn’t know him in his manhood but I’m glad to find he was a very good man as well. I know I’ll see him again as he is my brother in Christ. May Gid richly bless his children and his other loved ones.
Rev. Harry Knox
Jay Love was a friend and minister to my soul. I am deeply saddened to hear of his transition. I will miss him.
John Teixeira
My dear friend, Jerome, may you rest in peace. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you most. You were there for my ordination and 45th birthday party in NJ. You fought hard. I remember when we hung out in St. Louis and had a great time. You showed up for Remy… you pressed your way through. God bless you. I know you were welcomed with open arms. Love you man. My deepest condolences to your sons and all family and friends.
Roni Jordan
This shock me today and I know where you are. You were dear to my heart and I will always treasure your generosity and love. Rest well !!