Racine – Hilda Candace Small, 96, passed away peacefully at home on August 17, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on May 12, 1928, on the Caribbean Island of Barbados, Hilda was the daughter of Albert Fitzgerald Augustus Niles and Edna Adorothy (née Scantlebury) Niles. On November 11, 1953, she was united in marriage with Ormond Jarvis Small at St. Lucy Parish Church in Barbados. Ormond preceded her in death on April 22, 2004. Hilda's life journey took her from Barbados to London, New York, Florida, and for the past five years, Racine, WI.

Hilda was a proud member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and, for over forty years, a faithful and active member of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, NY. She took great pleasure in cooking, gardening, window shopping, playing cards, and keeping up to date with everything going on in the lives of her family and friends.

She is survived by her children: Gwendoline Elaine DeSantos, Edna Arlene Small-Robinson, Junior Kay Anderson Small (Fourneldine), and Derek Ormond Small (Maria); her grandchildren: Andrea Small, Richard Small, Allison Louis, Fay Simon-Blugh, Monique Small, Derek Small Jr., Nichole Robinson, Eric Barno, Justin DeSantos, Breana Estrella, Jessica Small, Alyssa Rizzuto, Madison Small, Junior Small II, and Faith Small; great-grandchildren: Indira Findlay, Elijah Rodriguez, Adaunte Rodriguez, Essence Rodriguez, Stephon Small, Shawn Small, Julissa Small, Jarvis Small, Remydior Cantres, Moon Small, Amar'e Small, Poem Small, Tafari Blugh, Justyce Small, Tumaini Blugh, Asher DeSantos, Myles DeSantos, and Gray Rizzutto (whom she affectionately called "Lady Gray"); great-great-grandchildren: Zion Pettus, Zurich Pettus, Dimitri Small, and Kyro Small; and her sister, Violet Elise Goodridge. She is also lovingly remembered by a cherished extended family, including nieces, nephews, dear friends, and adoptive "sons and daughters," with special mentions of Kendrick Reeves, Shirley Reeves and the Reeves family of Barbados, Jennifer P. Small of Florida, Elizabeth Pollard-Hooker of Baltimore, Kathy Jones of Wisconsin, and Christine Jensen of Arizona, all of whom Hilda held close to her heart.

Hilda was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Mia Jasmine Hilda Small; great-grandchildren, Mathais Rodriguez and Angel Small; and her siblings: Errol Lauriston Niles, Leslie Probyn Niles, Winston Niles, Aaron Belfield Niles, and Erla Ursula Niles. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law Gaston Small and Oscar Small, and sisters-in-law Benedica "Timpie," Magdalene "Maggie," Albertha "Dolly," Babsie, Clara, Judith, and Euris.

A funeral service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2417 Drexel Avenue, on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Matt James officiating. Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, September 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and at the church on Saturday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

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