Richard Smallwood’s Celebration of Life service draws generations of gospel lovers
Donned in purple and black, people of all ages filled the seats of First Baptist Church of Glenarden International to honor Richard Smallwood’s legacy.
Jacqueline McEwan wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to say farewell to Richard Smallwood.
“Richard was a very kind person and everybody loved him, of course,” said McEwan, who sang with the late gospel icon during the ‘80s as a part of the Wesley Boyd Workshop Choir. “His musical talents were just out of this world.”
McEwan, wearing a fashionable hat, was one of many who braved the freezing temperatures to attend Richard Smallwood’s public funeral in Maryland’s Prince George’s County. The influential composer died in December from complications of kidney failure in Sandy Spring, Maryland.
Donned in purple and black, people of all ages filled the seats of First Baptist Church of Glenarden International to honor the musician’s legacy at his Celebration of Life service, underscoring how his music spanned generations.
Ylana and Lenaj, two college students, were influenced by Smallwood’s gospel anthems “I Love the Lord,” “Total Praise,” and “Center of My Joy” from a young age.
“Growing up, we used to dance to all his songs in church. We fell in love with his music,” said Ylana, a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “It really speaks to people on a different level than current gospel music. I feel like I’ve really connected my journey with God, with his music.”
“His songs have so much power. They just speak to you,” Lenaj, a 23-year-old student at Washington Adventist University, said. “When you’re going through a hard time, you can listen to one of his songs and you feel like you can get through whatever.”
“[His music] translates over generations,” Ylana, 20, continued. “There are people of many ages here. You probably won’t see as many people here our age, but there are many who really enjoy his music and really connect with his music.”
During the service, all were on their feet with their hands raised as the Celebration Choir — comprised of the Howard Gospel Choir, and choirs from Metropolitan and Union Temple Baptist churches — performed songs like his 1996 hit “I Will Sing Praises” and 2001’s “Anthem of Praise” alongside Smallwood’s choir, Vision.
Letters acknowledging Smallwood’s brilliance from former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks were also read during the service.
Actor Phylicia Rashad, Smallwood’s classmate at Howard University, spoke about their time at the historically Black university, where the singer became a founding member of the school’s gospel choir.
“He had brought us together. He had brought the university community and the greater community of Washington together in praise,” she told the crowd of “Sir Richard,” her nickname for her dear friend. “And that choir was tight.”
The celebration even inspired Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to put his own spin on one of Smallwood’s classics, “Center of My Joy.”
Peggy Parker flew from Decatur, Georgia, to attend the service. She recalled the last conversation she had with Smallwood two years ago before his death.
“I went to his house and he was sitting in the recliner and I said, ‘Richard, are you still composing music?’ He said, ‘Peggy, I just don’t have that yearning anymore.’”
“And I said, if you never write another piece of music, you’ve given us music for the ages. And his face just lit up. And I could tell that he was glad to hear it.”
Watch the full service below.