Mrs. Barbara Jean “Bobbie” Smalls, 81, of Savannah, peacefully transitioned at home under hospice care on May 8, 2026, surrounded by family and friends after a lengthy illness.
Born in Waynesboro to Dublin David Robinson and Louise Jones Daniels, Barbara was known for her loving spirit, strong faith, and dedication to caring for others. She faithfully served as a baptized Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1975 and touched many lives through her ministry and her 20 plus years of service with the Chatham County School System as a bus driver and Hyatt Regency as a banquet server.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Smalls Sr.; daughter, Phaedra Smalls; and son-in-law, McKinley Habersham Sr.
Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her children: Van Mack Robinson (Cheryl), Leon Smalls Jr. (Monà), Monica Wilson (Craig), Sabrina Smalls, Leron Smalls Sr., Latesha Habersham-Baker (Jermaine), Avis Smalls, and Nieves Bowles (Edwin); 22 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings; and a host of extended family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah, 630 E. Henry Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Repast to follow.
The family extends sincere gratitude to Hospice of Savannah, Family First Funeral Care, and all who provided love, care, and support during this difficult time.
“Barbara Jean will be deeply missed and forever
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Patricia Izaguirre
Oh My! This is such sad news because it’s never known exactly beforehand. She was so sweet and she let me call her Momma. She had a beautiful smile! She be awake in just a few minutes
Latesha Habersham-Baker
To the best mother ever,
I gonna miss you, I gonna try to be everything you taught me to be. Mommie I will forever remember how much you impacted my life as a wife, mother, and grandmother!! I love you always.
Sincerely,
Tee
Ethel Bowles
Sending love and prayers to Nievea, your sisters and brothers, and to the entire family. Barbara has left a beautiful legacy of love and service for her children, grandchildren, and other relatives and friends to follow.
The Bowles Family
Craig Wilson
What can I say about MY Mother in- law
What do I think What do I feel what do I know
That she loved and respected me as a Son in-law and treated me like her Son
I felt that she was more like my mother than an in-law. Me and Monica already missing her but not for long…….Let the name of Jehovah be praised for the resurrection Hope. Deep love Craig
Celestine Jones
Sorry for your loss, be blessed. Cousin. Love yall Celestine.
Andressa and Ricardo Martins
We are so sorry for this. She was one of the kindest sisters we met. But we firmly believe that she will be with us in the new world.
Crenese/Niecy and family
To the family,
I send my deepest condolences to you all! I will forever cherish the memories of being taken in as a daughter and my brother as a son. Momma Smalls will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Continued love and prayers for you all!
Scott & Trell McFarlin
Craig, Monica & Family,
We offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to you all. Craig and Monica, the loving way you cared for Mom—both physically and, most importantly, spiritually—set a beautiful example and surely brought joy to Jehovah’s heart (Proverbs 27:11). Thank you for showing us what it truly means to honor our parents. We very much look forward to the time when Mom will wake up and be back to caring for her flowers once again! We love you both very much.
Hosea 13:14 “ From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; From death I will recover them. Where are your stings, O Death? Where is your destructiveness, O Grave? ….”
Sandra young
Monica, I send my deepest condolences to you and your family. For when I seen you your mother wasn’t far away you and your family are in my prayers 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Azalea & Paul Gutierrez
So dearly sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. You are surely in our prayers and know that Jehovah will give you the strength and space you need to bow your heads in grief then lift your heads back up as you look toward our hope of everlasting life in paradise. Just a little while longer and we’ll see his promises come true. In the meantime, we hold you in our hearts and keep you in our prayers.
Mary L. Grant-Williams
My deepest sympathy to Smalls Family during this sad time. But keep thinking about the good times you had while talking and laughing. Remember the teachings of the resurrection and prayers these will bring you much comfort. John 5:28. A very sweet and loving person to always remember.
Laura Pearson
During the 6 years I lived in Savannah I got to know Barbara extremely well and we became very close friends; I called her mama. We stayed very close after I moved back home to Oregon and kept in touch regularly. I was shocked to get the news that she had passed away. I had recently sent her a card and a letter and I never heard back. Much love for Monica and Craig and much strength for the time you and your family are going through right now. Barbara was such a sweet and beautiful soul and she’s going to be greatly missed by many people. I love you Barbara.
SUZETTE WISEMAN & FAMILY
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS FOR YOUR LOSS. MAY THE PEACE OF OUR LORD REST UPON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME. LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.🙏🏽
Sis. Stacey Juanita Lewis
Our Hearts Are Truly SADDEN To Hear This Very SAD News… & We Are Sending Our Deepest Sympathy & Condolences To Our Beautiful Dear Sister’s Family & Also To The Entire North Congregation, For Your “Temporary” LOST!!! [Hosea 13:14; John 5:28; 1Corinthians15:26; Revelation 21:4]…
Until The Day You Are REUNITED, We 🙏🏽🙏🏽Pray For {{{ALL}}} Of You, To Find TRUE COMFORT In Various Ways Through Our HEAVENLY FATHER, GOD AND FRIEND— JEHOVAH’S UNFAILING LOYAL LOVE & HIS PROMISES RECORDED FOR US, IN HIS WORD THE BIBLE…
2 Corinthians 1:3-4➡️ Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God.
~AGAPÉ🩶 The Lewis Family…
S.E. Congregation
Harold Johnson
Sorry for the family loss.She was my best SCHOOL BEST DRIVER EVER.IN 1978
Latesha Habersham-Baker
I’m sorry for the inconvenience, I’ve noticed on the obituary. That the date and time of the service and repast wasn’t changed. The service will be at 1pm Friday(Tomorrow) at the Kingdom Hall 630 Henry Street and Repast will follow at ILA Joe Wright Ballroom.
Jermaine Baker
My Mother-in-law you’re gonna be missed. Thank you for taking me in as your son. I love you as my own mother. Emotions have been everywhere for everyone. Just know we love and miss you get your rest I love you.
Valatean Mitchell
I was so shocked to hear of the passing. I have many fond memories of you and the family. I pray Jehovah keeps you in his memory. My heart goes out to you all and my prayers are with you.
Philippians 4:6,7/Proverb 17:17
Channing Milton
Sending my prayers and condolences to the family of Mrs. Barbara Jean. I remember when I would come to your house when I was younger. You were like a second mom to me growing up. I appreciate your life and your family is like my family. I really wish I could be there to celebrate your life, but just know I honor you today here from Houston, Texas. Much love.
– Channing Milton
Nicholl Milton
I send my condolences and prayers to the family. I growed up calling her my auntie. She will be missed, but never forgotten.
Monica (Nicholl) Milton-Smith
HMSHost Family
Sending love and heartfelt prayers to Nievea, to all of your sisters and brothers, and to your entire family during this incredibly difficult time. May you feel surrounded by comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead. We hope you can find solace in the love you share, in cherished memories, and in the support of those around you.
Liz Cohen
My deepest and heart felt condolences to you Monica/Craig and your family.
Dawn Johnson
To the family of such a beautiful soul!!! You will be missed immensely Mrs. Barbara. It is my prayer that this family will be covered with love, blessed with unshakable faith and wrapped in an abundance of comfort during this time. From our family to yours…..you have our sincere condolences.
Kenneth moore
My dear friend sister small I remember you we all would be laughing and talking all the time when would come to visit the hall u were going to it was always good to hear enjoy your conversation and comment at the meeting Monica u and the rest of your family hang in there ok.
Gail Walker
When you have lost a loved one in death,
APART OF YOU HAVE GONE.
Many days will be spent remembering wonderful and funny times, soft gentle times, even some of the sadness.
It’s all apart of life right?
Sister Smalls 💕
I will always remember you.
when you talked to me so sweet, when you made sure my little ones were safe on your school bus, especially the times when you talked to me about our wonderful God Jehovah. I will always remember you.
Right now this is apart of life right?
But soon, there will be a new part of life right? YES!
When all our dead loved ones will hear his voice and come out, come out to hug and embrace us. With love to you Monica and family always.
I thank Jehovah for guiding you my way.
Love Sis. Gail Walker
Henry Walker
Henry Walker
May 26, 5:08 PM
I have known her since I was a teenager and ever since the day that I met her, she treated me as one of her own and when I get married, she treated my wife and children as hers as well. Such a lovely woman would be severely missed in a lot and forever loved. It’s good to know that this is only temporary and that she is only asleep and that we will see her soon.
My condolences to Monica and family💕💕💕