Willie Campbell (Rivers) Small

Mrs. Willie Campbell Small, age 90, of Dothan, Alabama departed this life on Thursday, November 18, 2021; visitation will be Friday, November 26, 2021 3-5 PM at the funeral home; funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 1 PM at the Park Chapel AME Church, Dothan, AL; burial will be follow at the Smithville Church Cemetery; under the direction of the caring staff of Scott's Chapel Hill Mortuary "Because We Care".

Mrs. Willie Bell Small was born on May 10, 1933 to the Late Mr. Will & Mae Bell Rivers in Houston County, Alabama.  The “Baby Girl” of her family, she accepted Christ at an early age and loved to read her bible.  She attended Smithville Baptist Church from childhood until the early 1980’s where she joined the Burdeshaw Street Missionary Baptist Church and was a faithful member until her death. 

Ms. Willie B. Rivers met the love of her life the late Mr. Jimmie Small in Birmingham, Alabama.  To this union was born seventeen children (10 Girls and 7 Boys).  They instilled morals and values in all their children and emphasized that a good name was worth its weight in gold.  The Patriarch, Mr. Jimmie Small Sr, honored and cherished his beloved Bell until the Lord called him home in March 2001.  
 

Mrs. Willie B. Small was affectionally known to family and friends as “Bell, Queen Bell, and Gran Bell.”  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.  Anyone that knew her soon discovered that she was someone special.  Although she did not wear a crown and had royal blood, she was spoiled and was treated like a queen by her family and friends.  
 

Mrs. Willie B. Small was the President of Lodge #33 Ladies Aide Society for over 38 years, Missionary President of Burdeshaw Street Missionary Baptist Church and President of the senior choir where she loved to sing her favorite song “Look where he brought me from”   She loved preparing for the annual “Ladies Aide” turnouts which was called the “Fourth Sundays in May.” People from miles around would gather on that day and looked forward to the speeches, bible verse reciting, solos, and group singings on the Children’s and Adult programs.  Madam President would lovingly and humorously pound her gable on the table to remind the lodge members of their annual dues.  She would fondly remind them that they could join for “a dollar”. She was an active member of the community as well, a Christian organization through WOOF radio, would visit various nursing homes donating various items and sing Christmas carols to the residents
 

Queen Bell” had many, diverse occupations throughout her blessed life which included farming, housekeeper at the Olympia Spa Golf & Country Club, and retired as a professional Health Caregiver. She had a passion for cooking and followed her dreams and opened a soul food restaurant named .
“Bell’s Kitchen” in 2006 with three of her children.  It was a gathering place for family on the weekends.  Being confined to a wheel chair later in life did not prevent her from doing what she loved in the kitchen, cooking savory meals for her family.  

It brough her so much joy to have family gatherings, especially Sunday Dinners after church.  “Queen Bell” loved and knew each one of her children down to their food likes and dislikes.  She also loved posing for pictures and wearing her fabulous church outfits and hats.   
Mrs. Willie B. Small made an impact on so many lives regardless of race and age. She was a true Auburn, War Eagle fan.  Although she only gave birth to seventeen children, she helped raise countless grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her favorite phrase was “Love is What Love Does.”  She shared her love, wisdom, and life stories for 88 years on this earth.

 On November 18, 2021, God called the beloved Queen home,  she found her hiding place, resting in the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
“Queen Bell” was preceded in death by her parents: Mr. Will Rivers and Mrs. Mae Bell Rivers; her husband: Deacon Jimmie Small Sr; four sons: Jimmie Small Jr, Bobby Small, Willie Frank Small, & Ernest Small; two daughters: Emma Lee Small & Seletha Rena Small; a daughter-in-law: Lynn Small and son-in-law: Stephen Colvin; three grandchildren: Justin Small, Aaron Small, and Keith Antonio Small.

She leaves as a legacy eleven children three sons & eight daughters: Dorothy Cogman of Dothan, Alabama, Henry Small (Marcia) of Dothan, Alabama, Mamie McCory (Ben) of Dothan, Alabama, Lueritha Lang (Johnny) of Dothan, Alabama, Shirley Denise Small of Dothan, Alabama, Steve Austin Small of Atlanta, Georgia, Rosie Small-Fields of Orange Park, Florida, Mary Carroll (James) of Dothan, Alabama, Sametha Colvin of Dothan, Alabama, Twanda Small of Dothan, Alabama, & Mark Quentin Small of Dothan, Alabama; a very special sister: Mrs. Lillie Mae Sistrunk of Cottonwood, Alabama, and several grandchildren that she raised as her own Kokeshia Small, Christa Small, Timotheus Small, Dashawna Fields of Dothan, AL, Chad Small of Ft. Bragg, NC, Phillip Small (Angelia) of Auburn, AL, Jordon Small of Pyeongtaek, Japan, Shannon Small, Eric (Ashley) Small of Atlanta, GA, Monique Small of Las Vegas, MNV, Gabrielle (Edgar) Gonzalez of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren: Tyler Small, Cameron Small, John Turner, Nevaeh Small, Reagan Small, Caleb Fields, Ayana Gonzalez, Trey Buggs, Matthew Turner, Kalen  Jones, Jermichael Shakerfold, Isiah Small, Aubrey Samll, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that adored her. A forever devoted son Larry Cogman.

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