Reva Small

Reva Gray Small, a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona and former resident of Kankakee, died at Riverisde Medical Center Sunday, November 2, 2008 following a brief illness. She was 89.She was born Reva Arlene Gray in Essex, IL to Floyd Quincy Gray and Myrtle Barrett Gray. Reva had an older brother Barrett Floyd Gray and older sister Lois Myrtle Gray McDonald, both of whom preceded her in death.Reva's mother, Myrtle died whil Reva was a child. Family legend, and there are many, but this one we believe is accurate, is that Myrtle and Floyd moved to Albuquerque ...for the airs when Myrtle was diagnosed with TB, the disease which shortly took her life. The family returned to Essex where Floyd resumed his career as a merchant and postmaster. He later moved to Kankakee, IL.Reva was raised by Floyd's sister, Mrs. Anna Shimmin, in Kankakee when financial hardships of the Depression forced the Gray family to disperse. Mrs. Shimmin's daughter, Elizabeth Shimmin, now Mrs. Betty Straetz of Stuart, FL was a close cousin and life-long friend of Reva. Reva was later reunited with her family and attended Kankakee High School. She then attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL.Myrtle Gray died December 23, 1929 and Floyd Gray died February 26, 1964. Reva married Burrell Leslie Small on December 3, 1938. Burrell was a 1940 graduate of the University of Illinois School of Journalism. Reva and Burrell lived in Kankakee where Burrell became Managing Editor of the Kankakee Daily Journal in July 1942. He was joined in business by his brother, the late Len H. Small. Burrell and Len served as CoEditors and Co-Publishers of The Journal from 1957 to 1965. Burrell went on to become founder and Chairman of Mid America Media, a group owner and operator of radio, television, and cable TV properties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Oklahoma, Michigan and South Carolina. Burrell was also a long term board member and member of the Executive Committee of the origin First Trust and Savings Bank of Kankakee. He was a charter member of the Kankakee Development Corp and a member of the Kankakee County Public Building Commission. Reva was an avid gardener, a past preident of the Kankakee Kultivator's Club and a staunch supporter of the Kankakee County Historical Society. An enthisiastic golfer, Reva was the founder and chairperson of the Historical Society invitational benefitting the Kankakee County Historical Society at the Kankakee Country Club for 16 years. She was a 30 year Benefactor of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra and recognized by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2006 for her dedicated support of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Piano competition. Professionallly she was Chairman of the Mid America Media group of properties following Burrell's death February 22, 1981.Reva and Burrell were life-long members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee, IL.Family members are: Daughter and son in law;Susane Gray Small Bergeron, Daughter of Estes Park, CO,wife of Gerald E. (Jerry) Bergeron. they have six children - Kristen Bear (Centennial, CO); Stephen Bergeron (Lindenhurst, IL); Brandon Bergeron (Estes Park, CO). Danielle Naumann (Highlands Ranch, CO); David Bergeron Highlands Ranch, CO); and Thomas Bergeron (Danvers, IL). Sue and Jerry Bergeron have 16 grandchildren.Leslie Howard Small, son and daughter in law, husband of Susannah Small. They have three surviving children - Scott Small (Scottsdale, AZ); Timothy Small (Denver, CO); and Sarah Small Carlenzoli (Scottsdale, AZ). Their oldest son, Bruce Small died in 1998, Susie and Les Small have 6 grandchildren.Stephen Burrell Small, the youngest child, died in 1987. He is survived by his wife Nancy Peterson Small Frederick of Charleston, SC. They have three sons, Ramsey Small (Stuart, FL); Christopher Small (Jupiter, FL); and Barrett Small )Stuart, FL), The Stephen Small family has 4 grandchildren.