Born February 9, 1949 in Collinsville, Alabama, Anthony Clay Small was the second of three children born to Janie Lee and Andrew Anthony Clay Small.
He began his education at Gregory High School and continued it at Berea College Foundation School, Selma University and Alabama A & M College.

It was at Gregory High that he first experienced the joy of playing music with his schoolmates in the high school band.  This was the beginning of his love of music and the camaraderie of other musicians, an endeavor that he enjoyed his entire life. He learned to play multiple instruments including the trumpet, guitar, tuba and organ in various bands and churches. Most of his work life was in the employ of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. On leaving Goodyear, he went on to work at Southeastern and Cagle’s Poultry. In all these enterprises, he formed fast friendships and made many lifelong friends.

Anthony loved the Lord, and he loved people. He joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at an early age and went on to serve as church organist, choir director and deacon.  He served as chairman of several church programs and implemented a youth enrichment group focused on character building, Christian values and life skills with Deacon Tommie Jones.  During his free time, he could be found gardening, fishing, barbecuing and proudly sharing the results of these hobbies with friends and family.

In 1972, he was joined in matrimony to Wanda Ann Stubbs, and together they were loving parents to their five children until her death on August 18, 2003. He was a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband, brother, and son.
In 2007, he married Natalie Sharline Jones, and together they enjoyed the benefits of a life filled with church, family and friends. He departed this life peacefully on February 18, 2021.

Anthony is survived by his devoted wife, Natalie Jones Small; three sons: Christopher (Cassandra) Small of Tuscaloosa,AL, Derrick Small and Anthony Shawn Small of Collinsville, AL; two daughters: Candace (Corey) Sanders of Birmingham, AL and Juanita Dawn Small of Collinsville, AL. He also leaves to mourn his passing one sister: Gwendolyn (William) Johnson of Greenville, SC and one brother: Marvin (Maggie) Small of Huntsville, AL.  Counted, too, among those who will dearly miss him are his beloved grandchildren: Chantaye Davis, Martika (Josh) Foxworth, Markela Garcia, Corderra Dupree, Terrica Justice, Xavier Small, Jett Justice, Deklon Sanders, Saniya Sanders,  and twelve great grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his passing a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends: Willard D. Hart, Tommie Jones, Theodis Shaheed Rahmaan, and Melton Stollenwreck, Kara Dupree Gallegos Corona, and Desiree Justice, a chosen son, David Briggs, a chosen sister, Delmetrice Stubbs, and a chosen brother, Robert E. Stubbs.