Obituaries

Edna Louise Bellinger Gadson Smalls

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Services at First Calvary Baptist Church, 1401 Pine Street, Columbia, South Carolina with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 7100 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, South Carolina.

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Mrs. Edna Louise Bellinger Gadson Smalls was born in Barnwell, South Carolina on April 8, 1914. She was the beloved daughter of the late Deacon Elliott Edwin Bellinger and India Williams Bellinger. She departed this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, Harden Street, Columbia, South Carolina. She was the last survivor of eight siblings consisting of five brothers and three sisters. She was preceded in death by her late husbands, Jerry James Gadson and Peter Smalls.

Mrs. Smalls was educated in the public schools of Barnwell County and completed her education at Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She furthered her education with continuing education classes at Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, and later completed a course in Sign Language to assist the hearing impaired. She was a devoted Sunday School teacher of the Junior Class for over 65 years. She also taught Vacation Bible School for several years.

Mrs. Smalls was a faithful participant in the Tuesday Night Bible Study group and the Tuesday Night Prayer Sessions.  She was a faithful member of the Daughters of Faith Club, the Missionary Ministry, the Fidelity Club, and served as the Chaplain of the Pulpit Aid Ministry for more than 40 years. She was the oldest living member of First Calvary Baptist Church. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 of Columbia, South Carolina for 47 years. She was a faithful worker throughout her years of service as an Eastern Star until her health declined.

Mrs. Smalls retired from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and Retardation as a Seamstress Instructor, and prepared students to advance their careers in tailoring. Mrs. Smalls was recognized as an accomplished seamstress, becoming the first black seamstress to work on downtown Main Street at the Berry’s on Main department store. “Aunt Ett,” as she was affectionately called, never forgot her relatives with her sewing talents. She took a plain white gown, adorned it with sequins, pearls and a long train and made the most beautiful wedding gown for her great niece, Sandy. Her wardrobe and hat designs and creations were admired by many, and her talents and skills were passed on to her daughters.

She won a state competition and was licensed to make and sell “Cabbage Patch Dolls” on a widespread basis. These dolls were largely purchased by military families and have traveled the globe.  She was a School Volunteer for Richland County School District One serving at Carver Elementary and W.A. Perry Middle Schools, where she read stories to children and served as a “grandparent” to students.

She helped young people discover their heritage by telling them stories about her personal life experiences growing up and living on her parents’ farm in Barnwell. She was proud of her heritage because of the accomplishments of the family farm.  She was recognized by President George H. (Barbara) Bush and President Bill (Hillary) Clinton for reaching birthday milestones.

Mrs. Smalls loved to cook and you could always hear her singing her favorite hymns as she prepared the family meals. She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Left to cherish fond and precious memories are: her four daughters, Emily Quinn, Geraldine Kelley, Aiysha (Abdullah) Shabazz and Sandra L. Wesley; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a beloved niece, Dorothy Davis; a beloved cousin, Dr. Edwin Elliott Tolbert, Sr., and a host of other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and honorary adopted sons and daughters, all of whom will miss her dearly.

Services: Wednesday, 03/03/2010 1:00 PM

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