It was a cold, bitter morning, around 11 degrees, as people gathered outside the doors and sat quietly in their cars in the parking lot of First Baptist Church of Glenarden International in UpperMarlboro, MD. This was the day that friends, family, and admirers came to honor the life, legacy, and ministry of songwriter, composer, singer, and ordained minister Richard Smallwood.
The homegoing celebration, held January 24, 2026, was marked by reverence, musical excellence, and an unmistakable sense that this was not merely a service but a tribute for a man who has poured so much out through his song and poured in to others through his humility and kindness. Under the musical direction of Donald Lawrence, with choir direction by Anthony Brown, the music carried both weight and warmth, honoring a man whose life was informed by the classical, framed in the gospel genre, and always anchored in Scripture.
Before he prayed the opening prayer, Stephen Hurd reflected on how Richard Smallwood had a mastery of Scripture and music theory. “Even as we want to mourn and we want to cry,” he said, “we are rejoicing, because had it not been for a Smallwood song, some of us would not have learned our circle of fifths.” That remark evoked laughter for those who grasped the musical humor behind it.
A very touching moment came when, after watching a video in which the maestro said he wanted his work to outlive him, clips of “Total Praise” being sung around the world flashed on the screen, with even Stevie Wonder playing the song on his harmonica. As many of the maestro’s songs were sung, Scripture appeared on the screens, reinforcing what everyone already knew about Richard Smallwood: these compositions were born of an intimate knowledge of the Word.
Longtime collaborator Darin Atwater and the Soulful String Ensemble opened the musical journey with a classical selection, “Ormhelich, EsMahtew, and Prasoin”. The blend of strings and spirit set the right tone for the rest of the service.
In a tribute by Metropolitan Baptist Church, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr. reminded the attendees that Richard Smallwood believed the choir loft was holy ground. “Preparation itself was an act of reverence,” he said. “Through him, we learned that excellence is not elitism.” He also extolled his approach to song creation, “”Rev. Richard Smallwood understood that the song is not born out of convenience; it is born out of conviction.”
There were letters from former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Hilary Rodham Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and other dignitaries. Tributes from family painted a picture of a legend filled with love and compassion. His foster sisters spoke of how, when it became necessary, Smallwood, still a college student, assumed guardianship and took them to school and appointments. Many fellow gospel artists were in attendance, including Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr, A. Jeffrey LaValley, Byron Cage, and others. Songstress Valerie Simpson was also spotted in attendance.
Godson Tre Thomas recalled how his Godfather enjoyed the benefits of his celebrity but really just wanted to be “regular.” Smallwood also taught him to be honest and be a man of his word. Nephew, Robert Clements II. Richard was a sunshine to us. When he walked into a room, you felt his sunshine, his laughter, his humor. “Outside of his music, his personality had a way of affecting you, and when you engaged with Richard, you never left the same.” Clements thanked everyone for coming and asked that attendees continue to pray for their family.
Actress Phylicia Rashad came to honor her Howard University schoolmate, a reminder of how far Smallwood’s influence reached. Rashad recalled that Smallwood was instrumental in founding the Howard Gospel Choir and the impact it had when it was formed. She recalled how, because of their different paths, he with music, she with the theatre, had not connected for a while. However, years ago, when she was going through a difficult time, someone shared Smallwood’s album, which contained “I Love the Lord.” She stated that the song helped her through tough times. Of his character, she said, Richard was so easy, so natural, so calm, so every day, so accessible, and yes, grand.” She called him “Sir Richard,” and the sanctuary erupted in applause.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, accompanied by First Lady Dawn Moore, presented a plaque to the family. Gov. Moore said, “He was the soundtrack of our salvation. He was the one who could offer the soundtrack when we were having those moments of joy, and we were having those moments of pain.” The Governor went on to burst into song, singing an excerpt from the Smallwood classic, “Center of My Joy.”
Former Metropolitan Pastor Maurice Watson delivered the eulogy, “Two Psalmists, One God,” drawn from Psalm 121, which was Smallwood’s favorite passage. Pastor Watson paralleled Smallwood’s life with that of David. He also spoke of Smallwood’s music being high enough to make the erudite sit up and listen,” Pastor Watson said, “but it was low enough to inspire and give hope to the common person.” In that single line, the genius of Richard Smallwood was eloquently captured.
As the service drew to a close, pianist and Broadway conductor Joseph Joubert offered an instrumental arrangement of “Total Praise” that was both breathtaking and divine. Then came the grand finale: Vision and the Celebration Choir, comprising the Smallwood Singers, Metropolitan Baptist, Union Temple, and the Howard University Gospel Choir, sang “Total Praise,” the song written in 1996 that will certainly live on in perpetuity, as Richard Smallwood desired.
As the maestro was wheeled from the sanctuary, Atwater and the Soulful String Ensemble returned with a final classical farewell: Bach’s “Jesus bleibet meine Freude” from Cantata BWV 147, followed by Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise.” It was a fitting crescendo for a life filled with brilliance, humanity, and graciousness.
It was obvious that Richard Smallwood left his indelible mark. He was a man who believed that music, when done with excellence and undergirded by scripture, could change lives. He wanted his music to outlast his life. His spiritually rich and dignified Celebration of Life, filled with songs penned by the maestro himself, confirms that will long be the case for generations to come.
Someday I’ll leave this earthly dwelling, Through time and space my soul will soar
And finally see the face of Jesus. And praise that name forevermore ~”That Name”, song written by Richard Smallwood
To watch the Celebration of Life, visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/niIFVwnnxGE?si=A4dhRUHq2nnlTFq-
© 2026 PositivelyGospel.com, Sarah Hearn, All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Alicia Butler-Adams.
