Nathaniel Small, Sr., eighty-one, of Lakewood, New Jersey passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at his home. He was born on August 24, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey to James Henry and Ruth Small. He attended the Newark Public Schools and graduated from Barringer High School, Class of 1953.

Nate was married to his childhood sweetheart, Louise (Cookie) Small (deceased) for fifty-six years.  They were blessed with three sons, the late Nathaniel, Jr., Leslie and Kevin; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. His motto was "May the work I've done speak for me."

Following his childhood dreams of becoming a funeral director, he started his apprenticeship with the Woody Home for Services in Orange, New Jersey. The Korean Conflict interrupted his apprenticeship and he served four years in the United States Air Force and was granted an honorable discharge. He returned to the Woody Funeral Home to complete his apprenticeship and graduated from the American Academy McAllister of Funeral Service in 1958, becoming licensed in 1959.

Nathaniel moved his family to Lakewood, New Jersey in 1969 where he opened the Nathaniel Small Funeral Home. Before his untimely departure, he was the manager of the James H. Hunt Funeral Home in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He has dedicated over fifty years of service in the funeral service industry.

Nathaniel was a long time devoted member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Freehold, New Jersey, serving as Vice Chair Pro Tem of the Board of Stewards, member of the Lay Organization and the Men's Chorus. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was a life member of O'BrienMajor Post #2639-VFW, and Frederick Dempsey Post #266-American Legion, both of Neptune, New Jersey.

His Masonic affiliations were; the Celestial Lodge #36 Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliated, Red Bank, New Jersey; Past Master of St. Luke's Lodge #12, F&AM, PHA, Lakewood, New Jersey; Samuel W. Gordon Consistory #50, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Jurisdiction, United States of America, Asbury Park, New Jersey; United Supreme Council Northern Jurisdiction, United States of America Inc.; 33rd Degree Mason-Grand Inspector General; State of New Jersey Commander's of the Rite, PHA; King Solomon Chapter #8, Holy Royal Arch Masons, PHA, Asbury Park, New Jersey; Malachi Council #6, Royal and Select Master's, PHA, Asbury Park, New Jersey; and Mahja Temple #47, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, North and South America and it's Jurisdiction's.

His IBPOE ofWaffiliations were; theWalter J. Conley Lodge #1379, Improved Benevolent Protective Order Elks of the World, Freehold, New Jersey; Past Exalted Ruler of the Pride of Lakewood Lodge #1225, Lakewood, New Jersey; Past State President of the New Jersey State Association; Past Grand Exalted Ruler, IBPOE ofW; and Past Exalted Ruler's Council #20, Middle District, State of New Jersey.

He is survived by: his sons, Leslie (Celeste) and Kevin (Lainie); daughter-in-law, Harriet; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Virgil Small (Frances); sister-in-law, Henrietta F. Alston (James); and a host of relatives and friends.