Aaron Roy Small

Aaron Small passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 85. He was the son of the late Harry Smolowsky and Sara Berry Smolowsky. Aaron was a native of Columbia, SC, and a graduate of Dreher High School. He completed his bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

Aaron owned Small Funeral in Denmark, SC, and was a partner in McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 55 years.

He was survived by his wife, Bette Hilton Small of Columbia, SC, and was married for 64 years; his two children, Michelle Small of Columbia, SC and Stuart Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC; as well as his two granddaughters, Lila Small and Sadie Belle Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Selma Smolowsky, who passed away in 1953, at the age of 18.

Aaron served in the US Army Mortuary Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Although his primary profession was the funeral business, his first love was the fire/rescue service. He was instrumental in establishing volunteer rescue squads in South Carolina, where he served as fire and rescue chief and fire officer for Myrtle Beach Fire and Rescue Departments.

Upon returning to Columbia, SC, he worked with the Richland County Fire/Rescue to reduce fire deaths while serving Richland County. Later he worked with the South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s office to implement legislature to help reduce fire deaths in the state of South Carolina. He was instrumental in establishing the South Carolina Fire and Life Safety Association. The association trained hundreds of South Carolina firefighters in fire and life safety education.

He was employed as a funeral director with Shives Funeral Home in Columbia, SC. Aaron served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and as a flotilla commander of the Lake Murray station. He volunteered for Aluminum Cans for Burned Children, was a member of Forest Acres Rotary Club, and a member of Beth Shalom Synagogue, where he served on the board of directors.

The funeral service for Mr. Small will be held at 10:30 o’clock, Friday, February 14th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia, SC, with Rabbi Hesh Epstein officiating. The burial will follow at 12 o’clock noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC.

The family will receive guests from 5 until 7 o’clock, Thursday, February 13th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29206.

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