Heather-Dawn Small, 1957-2024

A celebration of life service was held, Sunday, February 18, 2024, 10:00 AM EST, at the General Conference Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters. Adventist News Network streamed the service live.

If you missed it live, you can still feel like you attended!

• Watch the YouTube recorded video.
• View the PowerPoint slide presentation by Galina Stele with photos of Heather-Dawn's ministry.
• See the PDF program guide of the Celebration of Life service.
• Read the PDF special issue of Mosaic newsletter with tributes from our Women's Ministries division directors.
• In lieu of flowers, you may give now to the GC Women's Ministries Scholarship Fund.

Tributes from around the world

EUD newsletter, Inter-European Division (EUD) Women's Ministries Director Dagmar Dorn and her leadership team remember Heather-Dawn, to download PDF
Adventist Review News, Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) Women's Ministries Director Virginia Baloyo and her leadership team remember Heather-Dawn
Adventist UK News, British Union Conference (BUC) Women's Ministries Director Sharon Platt-McDonald and her leadership team remember Heather-Dawn
Adventist News Network, obituary
Adventist Review News, includes recent memories from Inter-American Division

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Announcement, January 3, 2024

With heavy hearts and deep sorrow we must share the news that Heather-Dawn Small has fallen asleep in Jesus after a brief illness. She served as our world church Women's Ministries director for over 18 years, from 2005 until her last breath a few hours ago.

Heather-Dawn had dedicated her life to serving the millions of Adventist women from almost every country on Earth. She would call them her 'sisters.' Today we all join our sisters in deep sorrow and eager anticipation of that glorious day when our savior will wake her up to eternal joy. Please pray for her family, who will feel her irreplaceable absence more deeply. Let's be encouraged by God's unfailing promise that "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Rev 21:4).

Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, shared these comforting words with the world church

"Our hearts go out to the family of Heather-Dawn Small. What a tragedy that she has died. The process happened so quickly that it is difficult to grasp the situation. Heather-Dawn diligently served the world church as Women’s Ministries director for many years. She was so supportive of helping women become involved in evangelism and assisting the church in outreach and community activities. Heather-Dawn was very focused, through the Lord’s guidance, in making a difference in the life of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church using the talents and dedication of the women of the church.

May the Comforter come especially close to her husband, Pastor Joe Small, and the entire Small family as well as those who are part of Women’s Ministries worldwide…..and the entire world church. We have a great hope in the soon coming of the Lord when those in Christ who have died will rise first to meet Him in the air! We look forward to seeing Heather-Dawn at that glorious reunion with our Lord.”
@pastortedwilson