Family, church leaders, and the wider Christian music community will gather to honor the life and legacy of renowned gospel songwriter and pianist Richard Smallwood on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 12:00 noon Eastern Time. Doors will open at 9:30 AM ET at First Baptist Church Of Glenarden International, located at 600 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, where Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. will host the service.
Smallwood, whose music has shaped worship for decades, is celebrated for timeless compositions marked by theological depth, classical beauty, and an unmistakable spirit of praise. Songs such as Total Praise, Center Of My Joy, and numerous recordings with the Richard Smallwood Singers have become part of the soundtrack of the global Church, carrying messages of forgiveness, hope, and the nearness of Jesus to hurting hearts.
The services will be coordinated through Precious Memories Funeral Home, Washington D.C., with arrangements provided by Precious Memories, D.C. This sacred gathering offers friends, fellow artists, and listeners an opportunity to reflect on how God used Smallwood's gifts to draw millions into worship and to declare the goodness of Christ.
Further details regarding donations, memorial gifts, and hotel accommodations will be released in the coming days. Attendees are encouraged to monitor official church and funeral home communications for updates.
Richard Smallwood's influence reaches far beyond records and concert halls. His music, known for uplifting and faith-based themes, reminded believers again and again that beauty in song can become a doorway where people encounter JESUS.
Celebration Of Life Service Details
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Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
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Time: 12:00 noon ET (doors open 9:30 AM ET)
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Host Church: First Baptist Church of Glenarden International
600 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
John K. Jenkins Sr., Pastor -
Funeral Home: Precious Memories, D.C.
