Samuel Christian Smalley

December 8, 1972 – October 10, 2025

Obituary for Samuel Christian Smalley

SAMUEL CHRISTIAN SMALLEY, AGE 52

And a resident of Hammond passed away peacefully early Friday morning October 10, 2025 at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. Chris was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on December 8, 1972, before moving with his family to Franklinton as a young boy. He played youth baseball for several years and later graduated from Franklinton High School Class of 1991. Chris was chosen for the Louisiana All-State Chorus and, throughout his life, had a love for different types of music. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton, and had participated in all youth group activities, including R.A. basketball, which he enjoyed very much. After graduation, he served his community and country in the Louisiana Army-National Guard for several years. Chris worked at the Tulane Biomedical Research Center in Covington for the last 20 years, serving in different departments, most recently as a bio-safety engineer traveling to facilities around the area. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed shooting pool with his friends. Chris loved grilling for his family and friends, considering himself a “Grill Master”. He also loved family vacations to the beach and any time they could spend together. Chris had a contagious laugh, which his countless friends could attest to, although he considered himself the funniest person he knew. Recently, he loved spending time with his young granddaughter and enjoying time with his friends at Franklinton Demons football games, watching his favorite LSU Tigers and just being together with all those he loved. He will be forever remembered by all that knew him.

Survived by:

Wife: Rebecca Bennett Smalley of Hammond

Daughters: Madison Smalley of Hammond.
Morgan Bond

Son and Daughter in law: Samuel Christian Smalley, Jr. and Emily Curry Smalley of Hammond

Granddaughter: Rumi Nyx

Parents: Karen and Rev. Joey Miller of Franklinton,
Sam Smalley of Mandeville

Siblings and Spouses: Chad and Allison Smalley of Florence AL,
Carson Smalley of Mandeville,
Chaplin and Leah Ann Smalley of the Stateline Community,
Scott and Katie Miller of Mt. Hermon,
Sally Ann and Cory Shaver of Montgomery, TX,
Chase Miller of Atlanta,
Michael and Stacey Rase,
Lance and Erika Rase

Nieces and Nephews: Stella, Savannah, Layla, Chandler, Brady, Peyton, Eden, Kodi Grace, Quinn, Crew

Aunts and an Uncle: Janet and Doug Perrigin,
Jan Perry Davis

Mother in law and Father in law: Charlotte and Andy Williams of Port Vincent

Father in law and Mother in law: Bruce and Linda Bennett of Denham Springs

Sister in law: Brittney Bennett,

Brothers in law and Sisters in law: Preston and April Bennett,
Landon and Maggie Watts

Also numerous cousins and many dear friends that he loved as family

He was preceded in death by grandparents Nyra “Nell” and Rev. Wallace Perry, Harley and Toby Smalley, uncle Aubrey Perry, step-mother Marsha Smalley and other family members.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home (1109 Bene Street, Franklinton) on Monday October 13th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Tuesday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Tuesday with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Chandler Smalley, Tony Fagan, Shane Willis, Landy Lott, Heath Bernard, Robert Kerne, Chris Wood

Honorary Pallbearers: Greg Holmes, Wesley Green, Graham Wolbrecht, Derald Cupp, Rob Crain

Welcome to a cool, 60 degrees morning. I trust you plan to try to make it a great day for others!

A Verse for You Today

Reading the Bible in 2025

• October 15
• Proverbs 10-12

No New Obituaries Listed This Morning

Baptist Press

LSU BCM Building Damaged by Gunfire

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/lsu-bcm-building-damaged-in-on-campus-shooting/

What Should We Do?

If you want to serve God in a completely good way, do things like this: Help children who have no parents and women who are widows. Help them in their troubles. If you serve God our Father like that, he will be pleased with you. Do not let the bad people in this world make you bad too.

James 1:27

I hope you will take these words to heart and let your actions and words show that you care! Try to contact one individual today. Today will also be the day to start a new section in your prayer list, a small notebook, or even a calendar . It can include “Personal Actions” such as visits, phone calls, meals, transportation, a baked treat, etc. It’s not a brag book, but a way to keep track of ministry to others, your personal encouragement to “do” and not just “talk”. Nobody needs to see or even know what you write there. It is for your personal accountability and encouragement! If you are uneasy or unsure, get a partner. I know a partner helped me to start reading my Bible when I was a teenager. Even if you are serving in this way, “step it up a notch”!

May the Lord richly bless you today! May we see Him working in our lives!

I hope these thoughts are encouragements to all of us.

Anna Lee

Welcome to a new day God has provided for us. We don’t know what the days holds, but we know who holds the day!

Today’s Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• October 14
• Provers 7-9

Obituary

Edwin L. Cooper

August 6, 1954 – October 9, 2025

Edwin L. Cooper, a resident of Amite, LA, born August 6, 1954 was called home on October 9, 2025. There to meet him was his daughter Cassandra Marie Cooper and parents Byron and Edith Cooper. Left to carry on his memory are his wife of 46 years Susan K Cooper, his daughter Nikki, son Jay, daughter in law Tabbie and son in law Kyle. His legacy will continue through his 5 grandchildren: Olivia Finley, Alexis Courville, Amelia Cobb, Jase Cooper and Corlea Cooper. As well as his great granddaughter Ezralynn Courville.

Edwin was a United States Air Force Veteran and later worked for an airline in Atlanta Georgia where he retired after over 30 years of employment.

It was Edwin’s desire to be cremated. His family is grieving privately but will hold a celebration of life at a later date. The family thanks everyone for their outpouring of love and support. 

Edwin and Susan found a church home at First Baptist Church of Arcola where Edwin enjoyed helping with youth activities and talked about his church family with pride. As such, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Edwin please do so by making a donation in his memory to The First Baptist Church of Arcola. All donations will be used to benefit the youth programs and allow him to bless them once more.

Sunday School – October 19

“Instructions Given”

Numbers 33:50-56 and Numbers 34:113-15

Prayer Focus

Pray for Israel and the changes that have been made to benefit the peoplle. May the focus be, not on changes, but benefits.

Baptist Press

Tainted joy’ upon hostage/prisoner exchange, leading Israeli care group says

After hostages and prisoners freed, complex issues remain

Tennessee Baptist DR aids recovery efforts following tragic explosion

There are other articles you might be interessted in reading too.

‘Study God’s Word and Will
Wholeheartedly’

‘Alive in Christ’

“I enjoy your laws. I will not forget your word. Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live to obey your word. Open my eyes wide! Then I will see great things in your Law.” 

Psalm 119:16-18

Don’t be totally selfish today. Think, pray for, and do for others today.

Anna Lee

10-13-2025

If you watched any news today, you surely heard about 20 hostages being released to their homeland, Israel, this morning.!

If you read “The Prayer Link” regularly, you may have read Saturday that the Bible Readings for that day said:

SATURDAY

• 10-11-25
• Psalm 146-150

I must admit I got busy last week and got behind on reading the assigned passages.

SO…TODAY, I set out to read the Scriptures I missed out on as well as today’s Scripture. Before long, I read Psalm 147:2.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.

I paused, reread the verse, listened to the television a moment, and thought… “Did I just read a verse about the very issue that has been on the news and on our television all day?”

I read it again and almost jumped up and down! If I had read the chosen verses on Saturday, I may have made the connection today, BUT I read the verse after the news today was saturated information about 20 prisoners who had just been released hours before I the Bible verse about it. What an impact!

I read a book one time that called such experiences “GOD WINKS”! I didn’t feel like God winked at me, I felt like He grabbed me and shook me!

I’m thankful for the released hostages and their families. That has already brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart periodically all day. Then, God gives me this verse:

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he brings back the captured Israelites.

I just had to share my joy for the hostages and their families as for how God made the Scripture so real to me. Why me? I don’t know, unless it is so I can share it. That I gladly do right now!

Anna Lee

What a great and mighty God we serve!

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s say prayers of thanksgiving for the 20 freed, living hostages that are in Israel this morning. Our president has just been greatly welcomed into the Israeli parliament. I will keep one eye on the television during this wonderful historic event as I try to post TPL this morning! Let’s also thank God for all those who worked so hard to get us to this moment in history. Pray for the hostages as they adjust to living among the free again.

Scripture Focus

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

It is not enough to turn from evil. We can clean the putrid things out of our lives and hearts, but if we do not actively pursue what is good, then a worse evil can rush into the void, and our second condition becomes worse than the first (Matthew 12:43-45). So, let’s be people who turn from evil, become eager to do what is good, and with a passion choose to “wage peace.”

No New Obituaries Listed this Morning

Read the Bible Today

• October 13
• Proberbs 4-6

Update

Margie Williams’ doctors have decided on a treatment for the immediate future for her. She is at North Oaks. We can all prayer for her.

Two Rivers Baptist Association

The yearly report night for our association was held at Spring Creek Baptist Church last night and concluded with a message from Bro. Rusty Durand . We are thankful we were able to participate.

Additional Scripture

‘Be Thankful, Prayerful, Vocal, and Glad in Him.

8 Thank the Lord!

Make his name famous!

Tell people in all the nations what he has done.

9 Sing songs and make music

to praise him!

Tell people about the miracles that he has done.

10 Boast about his holy name.

Everybody who wants to worship the Lord should be very happy!

11 Ask the Lord to help you!

Ask him to give you strength.

Always try to be near him

and worship him.

I Chronicles 16:8-11

Pine Ridge Bible Study

This week we will be studying about the courage and faith of Rahab.

OCC Drop Off Schedule for FBC, Kentwood

Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon

Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon

Nov. 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon

Nov. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.  

Please plan to deliver your church or individually packed shoeboes to Kentwood during any of these time slots. We will be ready with volunteers and equipment to help make this step run smoothly.

What will you do with this day God has given us?

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus

Let’s do our best to make today a special day for our family and all the others around us. It’s the Lord’s Day!

Today’s Bible Verse

Today’s Bible Reading

• October 12
• Proverbs 1-3
• We have completed Psalm and are beginning the next book of the Bible.

No New Local Obituaries Listed

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Margie Williams who fell from a ladder in her yard and is hospitalized at North Oaks waiting to learn the procedure/treatment to help her recover from her fractures. She had a hard fall. Please pray for her. Give her a call to let her know you have prayed.

Please continue to pray for Barbara Erwin who is getting rehabilitation services at North Oaks Rehab.

Also, please pray for Michael Anthony as he continues to improve at home.

Pray for those who are homebound in our communities.

Have you considered this quote by Martin Luther?

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

I love to watch clouds as we ride along the highways. I see faces, animals, and various other objects in the sky. I also love to notice the many color combinations. The sunrise and the sunset are usually pretty every day. God “paints” pretty pictures for us regularly!

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Join me in thanking God for a new day and a cooler morning. Let’s all accomplish some tasks that benefit others, not just ourselves, today. Include inviting others to Sunday School and church on that list.

No New Obituaries Listed this Morning

Bible Reading for Today

• 10-11-25
• Psalm 146-150

Today’s Verse

Baptist Press

• Thousands of Palestinians return to what’s left of their homes as Gaza ceasefire takes effect
• IMB’s Missions Residency equips young adults to go beyond ‘mission trip’
• Associational Missions Day of Prayer is Oct. 19
• NOBTS trustees celebrate mission, hear positive updates

Prayer Updates

• Mrs. Barbara Erwin is doing well with rehabilitation which will continue until Tuesday when she will be re-evaluated.
• Brock Bennett, a young man from Amite, is better. He is at home now and attended his team’s game last night. He didn’t “dress out”, but certainly did wear a big smile as he saw many friends last night who had prayed for him during his hospital stay. I don’t know the details of his future treatment, but please continue to pray for him as he heals. One more thing, when the “pressbox” acknowledged his improvement and presence last night, Brock pointed to God! My heart was touched when he gave credit to God!

Prayer Focus

Please pray for those I have listed and use your personal prayer guide to pray today. Pray for those on your list. If you do not have a personal prayer guide, please take time TODAY to begin one.

Additional Bible Reading

‘Stumbling over the Truth’

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing,

And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 

44And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Mt. 21:42-44, New King James Version

Final Thought

Today, let’s do some personal evaluation. Do we give God credit for our many blessings each day?

Anna Lee

Good morning, Lord. Thank you for another day to share your Word and love for us. Good morning, friends. I’m glad you are checking in here today. I hope we will have a great day as we impact our world today.May we be dedicated to what God has called us to do.

Baptist Press

Here a an example for a role model we should admire.

Pastor continues to serve in Ukraine after losing church, second home in Russia’s war

Think about that tirle before and after you read the article.

Other articles are found at https://www.baptistpress.com/.

Read the Bible Today

• 10-10-25
• Psalm 140-145
• Looking Ahead to Proverbs

Verse to Consider

No New Obituaries Listed this Morning

Additional Reading

Thoughts by Charles Spurgeon

Revolve in your mind that wondrous word, “faultless!” We are far off from it now; but as our Lord never stops short of perfection in his work of love, we shall reach it one day. The Saviour who will keep his people to the end, will also present them at last to himself, as “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish.” All the jewels in the Saviour’s crown are of the first water and without a single flaw. All the maids of honour who attend the Lamb’s wife are pure virgins without spot or stain. But how will Jesus make us faultless? He will wash us from our sins in his own blood until we are white and fair as God’s purest angel; and we shall be clothed in his righteousness, that righteousness which makes the saint who wears it positively faultless; yea, perfect in the sight of God. We shall be unblameable and unreproveable even in his eyes. His law will not only have no charge against us, but it will be magnified in us. Moreover, the work of the Holy Spirit within us will be altogether complete. He will make us so perfectly holy, that we shall have no lingering tendency to sin. Judgment, memory, will-every power and passion shall be emancipated from the thraldom of evil. We shall be holy even as God is holy, and in his presence we shall dwell for ever. Saints will not be out of place in heaven, their beauty will be as great as that of the place prepared for them. Oh the rapture of that hour when the everlasting doors shall be lifted up, and we, being made meet for the inheritance, shall dwell with the saints in light. Sin gone, Satan shut out, temptation past for ever, and ourselves “faultless” before God, this will be heaven indeed! Let us be joyful now as we rehearse the song of eternal praise so soon to roll forth in full chorus from all the blood-washed host; let us copy David’s exultings before the ark as a prelude to our ecstasies before the throne.

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s ask God to help us live a life today that is closer to what He desires of us.

In Closing: What Jesus Did!

‘Harsh Justice’

Let’s try to live for Jesus today.

Matthew 21:40-41

Anna Lee

Good morning, friends. Let’s be thankful for the rain we had yesterday. It was needed! Did you see red clay blowing last week as construction people worked and as vehicles traveled on unpathed roads or driveways? Did you see the dust flying as people cut grass or wind blew on unplanted fields? Let’s be thankful for rain this week!

Verse of the Day

Read the Bible Today

• 10-9-25
• Psalm 133-139

Baptist Press

I learned something new this morning! There is a museum opening in Nashville to honor Gospel music.

From Fisk Jubilee Singers to megachurch hits, new museum celebrates Christian music.

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/from-fisk-jubilee-singers-to-megachurch-hits-new-museum-celebrates-christian-music/

Prayer Focus Today

Let’s pray for all those involved in football games on Fridays and for the local elections being held Saturday.

Prayers of Thankfulness

Today, let’s pray for these people and others who have had health improvements.

Michael Anthony – Still in bed at home

Barbara Erwin – Home now after a brief hospital stay due to fluid buildup

Read the Bible in 2025

• October 9
• Psalm 133-139

Additional Bible Reading

‘Worship Releases the Spirit’s Power‘

• 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (wasting); but be filled with the Spirit.
• 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
• 20 Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Eph. 5:18-21

No New Obituaries Yet This Morning

Have a wonderful day! Look for the good in this day. Celebrate it!

Anna Lee

Good morning. I trust all of you are thanking God for all he has done for us and looking forward to a good day ahead. Living many years allows us to have free time to be around and love more people we choose, not just follow a strict work schedule every day.

Bad Weather

We learned yesterday that Monday’s bad weather included three small tornadoes in south Tangipahoa Parish. Let’s thank God they were small and only minimal tornadoes.

Verse of the Day

Senior Adult Revival

We had a great meeting and a wonderful lunch at Line Creek yesterday. Today, the last day, the meeting will be at Friendship Baptist Church. Thanks to the committee who planned this special week for us.

Prayer Request

I have a special prayer request for Jimmy Harrell who had a tree limb fall on him after the rain Monday. According to the report we received yesterday, he has 16 stitches in his head and a broken shoulder. He was in North Oaks.

Obituaries

David Williams

October 20, 1949 – October 2, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, David Williams passed away on the morning of Thursday, October 2nd at his home at 75 years of age. He was born October 20th, 1949 in Townshend, Vermont. He is survived by his wife Rindy, his son Nathan, his brother Dennis Williams and wife Barbara, their children Ian, Taylor, and Jameson; sister-in-law Jane Williams and children Erin and Max, sister-in-law Patricia Williams and child Ryan, sister-in-law Cindy Landry and child Mikel Brown and her children Asia, Jayton and Stella.

The family has chosen to grieve privately, thus no formal services will be held. Those wishing to gather in David’s memory are welcome to do so. He would love to be the life of the party one last time. We wish to thank everyone for the outpouring of support that we have received.

David was born and raised with his 3 brothers, many cousins and friends living a rural life in southern Vermont. Drafted into the Army in 1969, he served 2 years in Vietnam where he earned his National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medals. David returned home in 1971, married Rindy in 1974, and they had their first and only child, Nathan, in 1978. Growing frustrated with a life of being snowed in every winter, David moved with his family from Vermont to Louisiana in 1985.

After becoming settled in Louisiana and adjusting to a new way of life, David became an avid horseback rider and participated in many organized and not-so-organized trail rides throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, often attending the annual week-long Dixie Trail Ride, rain or shine, with his best friend Jerry Bennett. Many of his weekends were spent with his wife Rindy and son Nathan on horseback, exploring the wooded property surrounding their house in Kentwood, always on the hunt for new trails.

David was well known and loved among his many friends, coworkers, and contractors and being the people person that he was, he loved everyone he met. He could be recognized from a mile away in his standard off-white “work” cowboy hat and his old blue and grey diesel pickup. An employee of the St. Helena Parish Hospital for over 30 years, he became a staple in the area and quickly began to develop many personal and professional relationships that stood the test of time. His expertise and innate knowledge in plumbing, electrical wiring, gas lines and machine repair, along with Master Plumber certification, guided him into his eventual position as head of maintenance, a demanding position that he was proud to hold until his retirement.

David was a two times cancer survivor, beating both colon and prostate cancer within 5 years. While there were the expected ups and downs, after many trips among Kentwood, Hammond and New Orleans, David completed all of his surgeries and treatments with absolute courage and never once complained or allowed his ailments to affect his outlook on life. He kept his head up and did what he felt needed to be done to ensure he could be here as long as he could to provide for his family and worked up until the day he couldn’t anymore.

Anyone who knew David could tell you that his smile and laugh could light up the room. David was a charismatic and kind man. He always had a joke or a funny story on hand; making people laugh was a gift that he always gave freely, and he never asked anything in return. David was highly intelligent and could often figure people out before they even opened their mouths. Although rarely expressed out loud, those that knew him well knew that David was devoted to making sure his family was taken care of.

The family wishes to thank everyone for your support and for being there for David throughout the years. He made many, many friends in his time at the St. Helena Parish Hospital and loved you all.

 McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.Edwin C. Nicholson

There are two more obituaries, but are for another area.

Read the Bible in 2025

• October 8
• Psalm 120-132

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Pine Ridge Bible Study

We will be studying about Sapphira today.

Reach Out Today

Get out of your usual routine today. It doesn’t “hurt” too much, but the blessings are great!

Remember who provided this day for us. Love, honor, and share Him.

Anna Lee