From The Augusta Chronicle

Augusta, GA- December 10, 2012, Mr. John Kenneth Small, Sr., 66, husband of Lucia Barfield Small, met Jesus face to face.

Mr. Small was a native of Lumberton, NC. He was a graduate of the Academy of Richmond County and then attended The Citadel in Charleston, SC where he became a three time consensus All American. He was inducted into The Citadel and The South Carolina Hall of Fame. Mr. Small was the first round draft pick of The Atlanta Falcons in 1970 and played 7 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Detriot Lions. He founded the "First Step", a ministry for the youth in Augusta and also founded JKS Team Inc. a company that used faith-based principles to serve.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters: Mary Allison Ross and husband Tony and their children Dalton and Dylan, Stacy Player and her children Mark Alan, Hannah, and Elizabeth; sons: John Small, Jr. and wife Julie and their children Ashton Nicole and Emma Grace, Stephen Barfield Small and wife Ashley; brothers: Lindell Small and Bill Small; sisters: Jane Lane and Deborah Moore. He is preceded in death by parents, Earl and Edith Small.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Grace Fellowship of Augusta with Rev. Brian Fields and Rev. Wade Trimmer officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodville Cemetery in Woodville, GA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Fellowship for Youth Projects "Fathers Heart" and the "Tanzania Project", 1725 Sibley Road, Augusta, GA 30909.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907. (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.

Editors Note: John was a proud member of "A" Company and was a 2LT his senior year. He played football all four years, the Team Captain in '69. John was in Who's Who, The Block "C" Club, and The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a charter inductee in The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977. His Senior Bowl interception and run-back for touchdown will never be forgotten. For further information see our Special Recognition web page.