Francene Eleanor Smalls

Francene was born July 25, 1930, in Vallejo, California, to Ivy Louise King and Frank Newton. At age 3, Francene and her mother left Vallejo for Los Angeles where they put down roots and built a life. Ivy always strived to expose young Francene to things that would make her a well-rounded young lady. Ivy insisted the family move to the Westside so that Francene could get a good education. She attended Foshay Junior High School, Manual Arts High School, and Los Angeles City College.

When Ivy married Jesse Thompson, Francene became a doting big sister to twins Jesse and Tina, and Dolly. She loved her siblings and often shared fond memories of growing up together riding her favorite blue bike, tap dancing, sneaking out to go to the Rosebud Theater to see movies, and enduring the pranks of her mischievous stepbrother, BeBe whom she loved very much. An avid musician, from age 16 to 18, Francene and her closest and dearest childhood friend Lillaine, played saxophone in the Church of God in Christ State Youth Band, for presiding Bishop J.A. Blake Sr., father of renowned Bishop Charles E. Blake Jr. The band traveled to play at churches throughout California from San Francisco and San Diego, to Palm Springs, Oakland and beyond. It was exciting and fun for Francene and Lillaine to travel and play their instruments.

Francene began her professional career at the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) as an Eligibility Supervisor in 1952. She took a brief hiatus from DPSS, but returned in 1959. She enjoyed servicing the clients and had compassion for all those she helped. She retired from DPSS in August 1990, after 34 years.

In 1952, she married Elmer Cleveland. Together they welcomed Elmer LaMonte and Anya Latriece. Francene later married Arthur McCovey in 1967, and to that union, Melvin Louis (Tony) was born.

After years of friendship, Francene married got it right when she married the love of her life and soul mate, Abraham Smalls, on March 24, 1972, and gained another child, Abe’s son, Wendell, blending their two families into one. Throughout their years together, Abe and Francene enjoyed travels to New York, Charleston, South Carolina, and Miami, Florida to visit family and friends. Abe also loved to drive his “Franny” to her favorite casinos throughout Southern California and Las Vegas, where she enjoyed playing the slots. She also loved to play Lotto and hoped to hit it big one day.

Abe and Francene remained devoted to each other 46 years. Francene gave her life to the Lord in 1978. She and Abe were longtime members of famed Crenshaw Christian Center where they faithfully attended Sunday worship services together.

Francene leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Abe, devoted daughter, Anya (Earl), and sons LaMonte and Melvin (Sherri), devoted daughter-in-law, Caryl, grandchildren, Tiana, Dustin, John, Justin, Kaylin, Isaiah, and Haylee, and great grandchildren, Karae and Daniel (DJ), and a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Francene Smalls loved the Lord. She lived life to the fullest. Her family will surely miss her warm smile, words of wisdom, good food, the lessons she taught, and most of all her fervent prayers.