Today we mourn the loss of a gospel music giant whose voice and compositions lifted millions of hearts over decades. Richard Smallwood wasn’t just a singer and pianist — he was a bridge between church tradition and contemporary worship, giving the world timeless hymns like “Total Praise” and “I Love the Lord.” From his early days playing piano by ear to leading influential choirs and earning multiple Grammy nominations, Smallwood poured his faith into every note. His music wasn’t just heard — it