Robert “Rube” Smalls Sr. of Southampton died on January 29 at Southampton Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 68.
Born March 18, 1941, to Rosa O’Blidge and Eddie Smalls of Charleston, South Carolina, he was educated in Charleston. He left South Carolina at an early age, survivors said, relocating to Southampton to find a better life. He found employment at the Leo Rosko farm, where he worked for many years.
According to survivors, he was a gentle, kindhearted man and a good friend to all.
He is survived by his wife, Rena Smalls of Southampton; three sons, Kenny Smith and his wife StarRita of Southampton, Robert Smalls Jr. of Flanders and Tyrone Draton of East Hampton; two daughters, Sarah Smalls of Southampton and Jacqueline and her husband Timothy Downing of Hampton Bays; three brothers, Richard Smalls of Southampton, Lolly Jenkins of Riverhead and Jimmy Smalls of South Carolina; two sisters, Wilhelmina Brown and Lucille and her husband Danny Aikens, both of South Carolina; a grandson, Kristopher Smalls; two granddaughters, Tiffany Murphy and Charice Downing; a great-grandson, Demetrius Braunskill; and a great-granddaughter, Tekyla Murphy.
He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Smith of Southampton; a special “mother,” Naomi Benneman of Southampton; two brothers-in-law, Matthew Smith of Southampton and Jeffery Smith and his wife Donna of Riverhead; and four sisters-in-law, Teresa and her husband Bobby Mims of Southampton, Dorothy Pender of Southampton, Virginia Banks of Connecticut and Rosemary Smalls of South Carolina.
Mr. Smalls was predeceased by three brothers, Elijah Smalls, Eddie Smalls and Sammy Smalls and a sister, Beatrice Jenkins.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, February 4, at 11 a.m., at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton, where a funeral service will be held at noon, with the Reverend John V. Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Southampton Cemetery.
on Feb 3, 2010