James Jackie "Ice Cream" Smalls, Sr.

James Jackie Smalls, Sr. affectionately known as “Ice Cream” and “Tuna”, was born July 29, 1948, on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, a son of the late Clinton Smalls Sr. and Florence Barnwell Smalls.
James received his formal education in Beaufort County schools and is a 1968 graduate of St. Helena High School. He served our country through the United States Army for 5 years, including a tour in Vietnam, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Rifle Badge, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. 
In April 1971, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Doris B. Smalls. From this union, they were blessed with two children. In November 2000, he was joined in Holy Matrimony with Martha Blair. From this union, he gained three stepchildren, fourteen step-grandchildren, and two godchildren.
In 1982, James received Christ as his Personal Savior, was baptized, and became a member of the Scott New Church of Christ. However, baptism was not the final step in his Christian walk. He told others of Christ and his goodness and was later ordained into the Ministry.  Those who knew him from church, or saw him on Sundays will remember him as one of the best-dressed men in the local area. He always ensured that his hat, suit, socks, and shoes were well-coordinated.  
On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at his residence, Evangelist Smalls answered the Master’s call; he fought a good fight, kept the faith, finished his course, and made his journey home to be with the Lord. Evangelist Smalls is predeceased by his parents, a son, James Jackie “J.J.” Smalls Jr., and four siblings, Eva Chaplin, Clinton Smalls Jr., LaVern Smalls, and Lillie Mae Smalls. 
He was a loving father, grandfather, godfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves to forever cherish his memories a daughter, Pamela S. Ball and a son, Jame Alexander Green, both of Columbia, SC; his grandson,Qhalil Matthew Ball of Columbia, SC; his brothers, Bishop Joseph Smalls Sr. (Emma), and Deacon David Smalls Sr., all of St. Helena Island, SC; his sisters, Gladys Pope, Clara Holland (Bobby), Rose McDonald (Donald), and Beatrice Chaplin (Arthur), all of St. Helena Island, SC; and Doris Froneberger (John) of Gastonia, NC; his stepchildren, Donna Hayes (Leon), James Blair (Charmain), and Shariff Blair. Special family and friends to him include a sister-in-law, Bernice Smalls of Raleigh, NC; Doris B. Smalls of St. Helena Island, SC; Martha Blair of Beaufort, SC; step-grandchildren Richard Lawson of Waycross, GA; Sheila Lawson-Simmons of Dale, SC; and Sasha Lawson of Jesup, GA;  godchildren Justin Grant of Montgomery, AL and Pilar English of Blair, SC; and a host of step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.  

James Jackie "Ice Cream" Smalls, Sr., 70, of St. Helena Island, SC died Tuesday, July 31, 2018. Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Wednesday, August 8, 2018, Allen Funeral Home Chapel in Beaufort, SC. Funeral services will be held 11 am Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Burton New Church of Christ in Burton, SC.  Burial will follow in the Beaufort National Cemetery with Military Honors. Allen Funeral Home of Beaufort in charge. 

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