Ms. Mary Jane  Smalls,  the first child of her adoptive parents John and Idell Smalls and the third biological child of Henry Mustipher and Mary Lee Pringle, was born on June 19, 1957 in New York.  Ms. Mary Jane Smalls departed this life suddenly on Wednesday, October 28, 2020..

Mary Jane was educated in both Ohio and Florida.  She attended and graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1975.  After graduating from high school, Mary Jane worked in various occupations, and most of them consisted of her working with children in child-care settings.  She later moved to Ohio with her parents and oldest son Colico Smalls (deceased) and continued to work for Donald Tope and Sons and then KW Zellers and Sons.  Her last place of employment was the Refuge of Hope, where she worked preparing food for the homeless.  The work that she did was suited  for the servants heart that she had.

She was joined by her life-time partner Mr. Alfred Wright, who lived in Canton, Ohio with their three sons.  Ms. Mary Jane was a dedicated mother, first and foremost.  Her sons' described her as a "Feel Good Person".

Mary Jane was hardworking, helpful, and a heart of gold.  She was loving, genuine, and did not hold back her opinion.  She had a knack for telling it like it was!  Mary Jane loved her children and loved her family.  She grew up in the church and knew who God was and where he brought her from in her life.  Mary Jane had a smile that you could see a mile away.  Mary Jane always enjoyed cooking; her hands were rarely still.  She had a vivacious personality and always made people around her laugh.  She made friends everywhere she went and was loved by many.

Preceded in death by her lifelong partner, Alfred Wright; her oldest son, Colico Smalls; adoptive parents, John and Idell Smalls; biological parents, Henry Mustipher and Mary Lee Pringle; (5) biological siblings, Philemon "Bobby" White, Laverne Hawthorne, Johnnie Mae Pringle, King White, and Martha White.

She leaves to cherish (2) sons, Marico Smalls of Bedford, Texas and Quintico Smalls of Canton, Ohio; (6) adoptive sisters and (1) adoptive brother, Dr. Carol (George )Wright of Florence, South Carolina, Mr. George Smalls of London, Ohio, Mrs. Toni (Albert) Harris of Panama City, Florida, Mrs. Carmelita (Stephen) Lambros Fredericksburg, Virginia, Ms. Venita Smalls of Akron, Ohio, Mrs. Judith (Travis) Pearson of Florence, South Carolina and Ms. Rose Mary Denise Beach-Smalls of Chattanooga, Tennessee;  (7) biological siblings, Ms. Barbara Albogetti of Beaufort, South Carolina, Mr. John Henry Pringle of Canton, Ohio, Ms. Annette Pringle of Sebring, Florida,, Ms. Lynette Pringle of Lake Placid, Florida and Mr. Angelo (Tamekia)  Pringle of Orlando, Florida; (6) grandchildren, Desreeonna Gilham, Destinee Hardeman, Jaimeer  Hardeman, Desmiree Hardeman, Jaisieer Hardeman, and Jaivieer Hardeman all of Canton, Ohio,; special friends, Mr. Lester Rose and Mrs. Angel Howell, as well as a host of  other relatives and friends.