May 1, 1976 – September 18, 2016
Reflection of Life
Elaine Elizabeth Small was born to Major (Ret.) Walter and Scarlett Small on May 1, 1976 in Aurora California; she peacefully transitioned to a heavenly home on September 18, 2016 while hospitalized at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, DC.
An avid reader and sharp student, Elaine attended Artesia High School in Lakewood, California. She graduated from Cerritos Community College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration, then attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson California where she received a BA in Human Resource Management. She was employed by the County of Los Angeles for four years prior to moving to Washington DC in September 2012. She attended The Baptist Church of the New Covenant in Norwalk, California
Elaine had several interests ranging from listening to music, playing dominoes and making jewelry. Her absolute passion was for making custom designed soaps, lotions and skin care products—and she excelled in this area. A skilled conversationalist, Elaine loved meeting people and guiding clients she met at the various craft markets in selecting items that met their needs. She had an eye and love for fashion and a talent for choosing outfits that made a statement.
Elaine loved family, friends, and Wrightsville Beach! She recently travelled to Orlando, Florida and cruised to the Bermuda. Her parents exposed her to worldwide travel from the age of two and would ensure she returned to North Carolina and other locations to visit and get to know her kin. Each of them played key roles in her life. Her exposure to a wide range of cultures and people inspired her learning and development as a gifted reader, interpreter and analyst of any work she read. She was a frequent user of Facebook with friends across the world.
Her toddler niece, Maya Scarlett and newborn nephew, Matthew-David Thomas Small were the loves of her life. She cherished paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and developed special affection for them, and they for her.
She leaves to mourn; her parents Walter and Scarlett, sister Vikki, and brother Walter Jr. Uncles: William, Joseph (Thenia), Donald and Julius (Linda) Small, Kenneth Davis, Milton and Ervin (Maebelle) Rouse. Aunts: Velma Small Hall (Richard), Melody Rouse, Brenda J. Schell (Wyrian) and a beloved grandmother, Dr. Shelva J. Davis; cousins, friends and a very dear friend, Lshandra Fitzgerald, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
Scarlett, Walter and Small Family:
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Blessings and Love,
Barbara Hunt
To: The Small Family
The Master Weaver has woven Elaine into his Magestic Tapestry .
“Peaceful Rest Elaine”
Warm Hugs To My Family.
Cousin Ava
Small Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to your family during this difficult time. May God comfort and keep you in his care.
Scarlett, Walter and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Much Love;
Annie Griffith
Elaine as I am writing this to you I’m saddened to know that you have left, but I will always see your smile and those beautiful eyes that would just
warm my heart when I would see you at New Covenant. I knew that you were very special in my heart, our spirits connected because you
would tell me “you’re cool I like you” and I would say that is sweet of you, you would say “No for real” and we would hug each other. I became
very close to you when you found out I had Cancer you said to me “you’re a strong Woman anybody can beat Cancer you can” Those words
were so encouraging to me. I came to visit your Mom one day and you were home and once again your eyes lit up and your smile was still there,
although you didn’t feel good that day but you smiled anyway. I was so proud of your entrepreneurial spirit once again we connected and we would
talk about your goals and ambitions to create a product for Black Women to use for face, hair and products without all the bad ingredients in them.
Now you have made your transition to your new home with all the right products, no more pain, all the smiles of being free and being at peace. I will always be connected with you through our spirits but I’m sure gonna miss you, so this not goodbye but I’ll see you again. Enjoy Heaven my “Bright Eyes”.
Dear Small Family,
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your daughter and sister. We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief. And that your warm memories of Elaine Elizabeth Small help you through this difficult time.
With caring thoughts,
Genaro and Sandoval Family
My sincere condolescences to the Small Family,
Even though I was only able to be a part of Elaine’s life for a short while, I feel honored to have shared her journey through this world. Elaine had such a bubbly upbeat personality; and I will always remember her wonderful smile and laughter. Most of all she gave of herself through the passion of her craft. She poured her love into the soaps, lotions and hair products she made, and as such touch so many lives. She is truly missed. May Our Almighty Father bless her and her family.
Heartfelt condolences from the Administration and Staff of Hanson Place Child Dev Center to the Small Family.
God bless you all.
Carol Brathwaite
Center Director
It is with deep regret that I hear of Elaine passing, I will always
remember her waving and smiling at me whenever I saw her getting in
or out of the car. My prayers are with you and your family
Walter, warm condolences to and on the passing of your daughter. Remember your happy moments.
Abdul Rahman Shareef