Gerald Steven Smallwood

Gerald Steven Smallwood, 82, of Uvalde, went to Heaven on July 11, 2025. He was born on November 5, 1942 in Sabinal, Texas to Irene Farr Smallwood and Jasper Gerald Smallwood. He graduated from Uvalde High School in 1961 and attended Southwest Texas Junior College.

He is survived by his wife, Sammye Blair Smallwood of Uvalde; his daughter, Gloria Clark and her children, Shauna Robbins and husband, David Lilly and Jesse Clark, all of Jasper, Texas; son, Lance Blair Jones and wife, Tina and their children, Marley Blair Jones, Manasseh L. Jones, and Aiden M. Jones, all of San Marcos; his son in law, Greg Neal and children, Lt. Commander Joshua Blair Neal of New Orleans, LA. and Sgt. Josiah C. Neal of Ft. Cavazos, Texas; sister, Gay S. Faglie of Uvalde; and nieces, Lauren Porto and Ali Smallwood of Seattle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Perry Smallwood; brother-in-law, Brian Faglie; nephew, Brac Smallwood; and daughter, Tonye Lee Smallwood Neal.

On December 18, 1976 Steve and his daughter married Sammye Blair Jones and her two children; they were a package deal. He devoted himself lovingly to this family (which came to include seven grandchildren) for 49 years. Steve loved his little acreage south of town and made sure he and his children were active in 4-H and the Uvalde Youth Rodeo. At heart, Steve was an old-time cowboy and always felt he was born into the wrong era. He was never happier than when he was checking up on cattle. And when he could no longer ranch due to the drought and his health, he spent hours reading Louis L'Amour novels or watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza or John Wayne movies.

Steve had strong old-fashioned values, but never pushed them on you; he believed that a man's word is his bond. He was a quiet man, thinking before speaking, thus the family listened when he had something to say. He was a patriot to the United States of America serving briefly in the US Army before being discharged due to a spinal deformity.

As long as his health allowed he was active in the Methodist Church, serving on numerous Emmaus Walk teams; he and Sammye were also assistant youth leaders acting as sponsors for ski trips and retreats. Most recently, even in pain, he was in church on Sunday and was happy to be included in a young couples Sunday School class.

Steve was light-hearted and loved to tease and laugh. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing pool or dominoes at the fire station, often with a grandson there learning the ropes. In later years, he had a few grandchildren who loved to coerce Poppa into a game of PayDay trying hard to beat him; whatever he played, he had a reputation of being hard to beat.

The viewing will be at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary  on  Friday, July 18, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. A graveside services will be on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at  10 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. at Uvalde Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to Uvalde Memorial Hospice & Palliative Care, 100 Royal Lane Uvalde, Texas 78801 or the charity of your choice.