Hearing about the passing of Heather-Dawn Smalls made me very sad and upset. I will miss her. All the more I look back with joy on shared experiences and adventures. She was a popular speaker at events for our women in Germany. She spoke openly about personal, sometimes tragic challenges and how Jesus carried her through them. The participants experienced her as a woman at eye level. She always signaled 'I am not above you, I am one of you. I am your sister'. Heather-Dawn had the wonderful gift of picking up and leading the women to Jesus.
One private memory from 2018 is an example of her attitude. We were driving through the Bavarian countryside together with Denise Hochstrasser. Heather-Dawn was amazed by the Bavarian villages with their beautifully decorated maypoles and the mountain range in the background.
It was lovely with you, Heather-Dawn. See you soon.
Angelilka Pfaller, former Women’s Ministries Director, North and South German Unions
A Lasting Impact
Since 2005, as Director of the Women's Ministries Department at the General Conference, she has worked tirelessly and with commitment, dedication, and creativity, to promote important issues worldwide - for example, the "enditnow - Break the Silence on Violence" initiative. Her messages, shaped by many experiences and her enthusiasm, reached and encouraged women to be positive examples for future generations. Her firm trust in a loving God - right to the end - left a lasting impact on the ministry of women for women. In the Christian hope of a reunion, our thoughts and prayers during these days are especially with her husband, Pastor Joseph Small, and her children Dalonne and Jerard."
Dany Canedo, WM Director, German Unions
Remembering an Inspiring Woman
Heather-Dawn was a great woman tirelessly on the road for the Lord. Many others would have given up their job a long time ago. Nobody who knew about her health problems would have blamed her.
For me, she was an inspiration from the moment I met her for the first time. She opened her heart and told us about the worst moments in the life of a mother when her four-year-old son was bitten by a dog and died. This testimony has always been a reason for me not to give up on God but to keep on trusting Him. And in this situation, God called her to his service!
I think of the congress when we wanted to honor our Women’s Ministries Union director. When she heard about our plans, she decided to come and be there to present her the award as a Woman of Distinguished Service. Her knee was hurting all the time and I would bring her a bag of ice from the kitchen to soothe the pain.
She brought us so much joy whenever we met at special events, and I am looking forward to the joy of seeing her at the great celebration in the New Jerusalem when we can be together again, never more to part.
Nancy Duske, Women’s Ministries, Hanse Conference Team, Germany