Irene Victoria Johnson Small, 72, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. The daughter of Lester Ellison and Mary Lee Johnson Spells, she was born on Friday, February 16, 1945 in Folkston, GA. She was educated in the Charlton County, GA School District. Many years ago, Irene was a member of Zion Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder William Rutledge, Sr. She was a resident of Palatka for over 47 years, and relocated to Orlando several years ago to obtain excellent health care services closer to her daughters. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and the former Starlight Gospel Singers. She was a retired tissue converting department employee at Georgia-Pacific. Irene enjoyed singing, playing cards and bingo.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in eternal rest by her daughter, Cynthia Gilyard; grandsons, Mario Small, Jr., Raheem Gillon; sister, Betty Jones; aunt, Lillie Bell Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memories: husband, Frank James Small, Sr., Palatka; sons & daughters, Angela (Jeffrey) Milton, Mario (Helena) Small, Sonya (Robert) Gillon, all of Orlando; Frank (Katrina) Small, Jr., Kissimmee; Delvia Small-Carr, Jonesboro, GA; 27 grandchildren; brothers, Deriek Ellison, Lerishea "Bobo" Ellison, both of Waycross, GA; sisters, Margaret Ellison-Barton, Freeport, NY; Deloris Douglas, Gainesville; aunt, Alice Johnson, Brunswick, GA; special daughters, Mary Ann Hollinger, Kissimmee, Irene Aikens, Jonesboro, GA; son-in-law, Rodney Gilyard, Palatka; godson, Leroy Oxendine, Palatka; extended family, Jameka Small, Palatka; Frank Vickers Small, Stone Mountain, GA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, August 25 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 1 p.m., Saturday, August 26, at House of God Church, 723 North 19th Street, Palatka, Bishop G.L. Evans, Jr., host pastor; Elder Alonzo Mulberry, III, Pastor of Soul Mission Church of God in Christ, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.