Jacob Jaleel Small

Jacob Jaleel Small, age 2 months of Fayetteville, NC, lovingly and peacefully in his parents' arms transitioned to be with his Heavenly Father on July 26, 2023.

Jacob was born on May 25^th, 2023 at the UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.  He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Donald Small.

Jacob’s life was one of a miracle before he was even born.  When told that Jacob would be born with a five - organ omphalocele, the doctors advised his mother that she should terminate her pregnancy.  Without hesitation his parents decided they wanted to have their baby and give him a fighting chance, and Jacob didn’t disappoint.  With his parents by his side day and night for two long months, Jacob fought with everything he had in him to survive all obstacles that were put before him.  But this battle proved too much for his precious little body to overcome.  He was such a brave and strong baby that always had a fist balled up as to say “I’m strong and still fighting”.  Jacob was baptized at his bedside one week after his birth.

In his short life Jacob has been such a blessing to his family and touched countless nurses and doctors that he encountered. 

Jacob’s footprints have been forever imprinted in the hearts of the many friends, family and friends of family that have prayed for him.  Jacob was well loved and we know he felt every ounce of it.

He is survived by his loving parents, Christian and Danyelle Small; his brother, Jackson; grandmothers, Carolyn Jackson and Joy Williams; grandfather, Reginald Jackson; great grandmothers, Louise Tatem and Elizabeth Williams; great grandfather, Vernon Tatem, Sr.; Aunt, Courtney Bernardo (Roger); great aunt, Lisa Perry (John); Uncles, Jordin Jackson, Ricky Graves, and Shamar Graves; great uncle, Vernon Tatem Jr. (Lavera); great aunt, Carla Armstrong; God parents, Aaron and Krista Attles; and a host of cousins and other relatives.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff in the NICU & PICU at UNC for providing Jacob with the best medical care possible to help him in his fight of life.  We would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards, visits, phone calls, love and support shared with our family over these past months.  Jacob was truly a blessing and our little miracle baby that is greatly loved and has brought our family so much closer.  He will be DEEPLY missed.