Brandon Allen Small

Published 6:00 am Friday, February 9, 2018

A Home-going celebration will be held for Mr. Brandon Allen Small, 38, at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in New Iberia, with Pastor Francis Davis officiating. 

Interment will follow in St. James Baptist Church Cemetery in Jeanerette.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at the church until time of service. 

A native and resident of New Iberia, he passed away at 7:19 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Iberia Medical Center in New Iberia. 

Brandon Allen Small was born August 9, 1979, to the union of Melvin Allen Small and Marjorie “Mae” Lewis Small in New Iberia. Brandon began his education at Johnston Street Elementary School in New Iberia. He continued his education at Anderson Middle School, New Iberia Freshman High School and ultimately graduated from New Iberia Senior High School (NISH) in 1997. Brandon was an avid athlete during grade school and high school. He was member of both the football and track and field teams. He was four-year member of the football and the track and field teams. Brandon was named to the 1996 District 3-5A All District Team, the 1996 Daily Advertiser All Acadiana Team and the 1996 Best of the Bayou Teche Team during his senior year. 

Brandon continued his education at Louisiana State University and earned a scholarship after trying out for the football team. He attended and played football at LSU for two years and then transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge. Brandon earned a football scholarship at Southern and played for three years as a Jaguar. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern University and returned to New Iberia where he pursued his dream of becoming an educator and coach. 

In 2006 Brandon accepted his first teaching assignment as a resource teacher and coach at Jeanerette Senior High School. He moved to Westgate Senior High School in 2008, where he continued to work in special education and coaching and he was named the offensive coordinator. Because his love for his students and their families, Brandon earned his teaching certification in special education during his tenure at Westgate. In 2013 he moved to Franklin Senior High School in St. Mary Parish where he started out as assistant football coach and offensive coordinator. Additionally, he worked as the head coach for track and basketball. In 2015 Brandon become the head football coach. 

He was baptized at an early age at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. He attended Sunday school and was a member of the Sunshine Choir and the Mt. Calvary Trailblazers. 

Brandon was a caregiver for both his mom and dad during illnesses as well as a devoted dad, partner and educator. Brandon loved family gatherings and had a special bond with his cousins. Much like his mom, Brandon rarely met a stranger and if he did they were not a stranger for long. 

Brandon was an active member of the Rho Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He was dedicated to the Omega mission and worked to ensure the success their community engagement activities. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted fiancee of 17 years Quintella Viltz of New Iberia; two sons Gavin Dozier and Isaiah Viltz, both of New Iberia; one daughter Amiyah Small of New Iberia; his father, Melvin A. Small of New Iberia; one brother Wayland J. Small and his wife, Sylvia, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; one sister Vanda S. Harris and her husband, Linton, of Snellville, Georgia; a cousin who is more like a brother Denari Key of New Iberia; ten aunts and uncles George Small (Fannie) of New Iberia, Larry Small (Phyllis) Cerritos, California, Stanley Small (Dorothy) of New Iberia, Cynthia Antoine (Perry) of New Iberia, Sylvia Mitchell (Raney) of Inglewood, California, Ronald Small (Sheree) of Inglewood, California, Kendall Small (Tarmier) of Carson, California, Susan Small Robertson of New Iberia, James Small (Yvonne) of Lydia and Kevin Small of Lydia. Also cherishing his memories are his godmother Eve Smith and godfather Perry Antoine Sr.; special nieces Kamyrn, Jakayla and Khylie; a special cousin Willie Ann Edwards; and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends. 

Brandon was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Lewis Small; his paternal grandparents, Daniel Jr. and Alnita Derouen Small; maternal grandparents, Wallace Lewis Sr. and Leona Willis Lewis (Mae Mae); his uncle Wallace Lewis Jr.; and aunt Olita Mae Lewis. 

Active pallbearers are Denari Key, Dwyane Bernard, Corey Small, Ronnie Louis, Brently Broussard, Jamar Lewis, Perry Antoine Jr. and Cedric Moore.

Honorary pallbearers are Wayland Small, Kenyatta Small, Linton Harris, O’Neal Jones III, Jason Viltz, Kendrick Small, Quentin Viltz, Kendall Small, Ronald Small, Kevin Small, Jacoby Antoine and Jamel Small. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home, 609 West Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia, Louisiana 70560. 

Condolences may be expressed at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org.