Bishop Jean Elena Hamilton-Small

Bishop Jean Elena Hamilton Small, age 74, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at New York Community Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Reverend Jean Small was born in the City of Colon, Republic of Panama, to Mildred Small and Lloyd Hamilton. She attended Guardia Vega for six years, and then went on to Christ Church Academy, graduating as a bilingual secretary.  She then migrated to the United States of America where she continued her studies and worked for many years as an Assistant Nurse in a Podiatry office.  Bishop Small continued her studies in Theology at Christian Gospel Mission Institute of Cumberland University, and in June 2014, received her Doctorate degree in Theology.  She was a member of the Pan-American Marching Band of New York for thirteen years.

Sister Jean received her water Baptism at the age of fifteen in Panama.  While living here in the United States, she was invited by a friend to visit Mount Sinai Spiritual Church where she was given the right hand of fellowship.  She later became a Sunday School teacher, and was called Mommy Jean by many of her students.  After a period of laboring in the house of God, she was elevated to the office of Reverend, and was ordained in 1982 by (the late) Bishop Ford and Episcopate Anita Marshall. Pastor Small, as she is respectfully known, was also associated with Zion Sacred Church and Revival Hour Mission Church.

In 1994, Reverend Small joined St. Mary’s Spiritual Church where she continued to labor for the Lord as a Sunday School teacher.  In July 2006, she was anointed to the office of Bishop and Armor Bearer, and in May 2012, was consecrated to the office by Archbishop Estela Knights and Apostle Conley Dickens. Bishop Jean Small’s aim and desire was to serve and see the Lord for herself, and to dedicate her service to Him.

Bishop Jean Small is survived by her son O’Neal; grandson Christian; siblings: Dorothy, Earl, Jacinto, Linda, Claudina and Rafael; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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