Kiaja Smalls

Little Miss Kiaja “KiKi” Smalls, age 2, is lovingly remembered by family and friends who treasured her joyful presence. A daughter, sister, and granddaughter, KiKi brought a bright, playful energy to every room she entered and was known for her affectionate nature and the small delights that made her who she was.

She is survived by her mother, Tequila Smalls; her father, John Coleman; her brother Karrell Preston; her sister Alaysia Armstrong; grandparents Michelle Smalls, Guerry (Patricia) Williams, Tania Coleman, and John Murray; and many other relatives and friends who adored her. Her family celebrated her life with a memorial service at St. John Baptist Church on November 26, 2014, and she was laid to rest at Woodville Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were handled by Bynes-Royall Funeral Home of Savannah.

Those who knew Kiaja remember a child who loved simple comforts and family closeness — a little girl whose small, everyday pleasures and loving hugs left an imprint on those around her. In the weeks and months following her passing, her community gathered to grieve and to honor the short but meaningful time she spent with them.

Kiaja’s memory lives on in the stories told by relatives and neighbors, in the gentle recollections of family members who recall her laughter and warmth, and in the continued wishes for peace and justice from those who loved her. Though her life was brief, the love she inspired continues to be felt by her family and by the Savannah community who held a celebration of her life.