Harry James Smallwood

Harry James Smallwood was born on November 28, 1946, in Bellaire, OH, to the late Thomas Smallwood and the late Marguerite “Motdear” L. (Cole) Smallwood Culbreath. Grandma Mary Jane Brantley helped raise Harry and his siblings.

On Friday morning of December 12, 2025, Harry went home to be with the Lord. Harry was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister - Ronnie Smallwood, Jeryl Smallwood Sr., Charles Crayton, Pastor Mary Alice Gregory, Pastor Glenn Perdue Sr., Lennie Smallwood, Frederick “Sonny” Perdue, brother-in-law John Gregory, and sister-in-law Georgianna “Sissy” Smallwood.

After attending Bellaire High School and graduating from Big Red High School in 1964, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed his training at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Following his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Steubenville, OH, and met his wife, Debra, in 1970. To improve his community, he served as the first president of The Progressive Blacks, a community outreach organization. Harry and Debra married in 1972 and moved to Columbus, OH. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Accounting from Franklin University (Summa Cum Laude), as well as his Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University. With over 25 years of service, he retired from the State of Ohio. Desiring financial independence, Harry was a real estate agent with Harris Realty and created his own business, Tax Xpress. He became an Infinite Banking Professional, a life insurance agent, an Enrolled Agent, and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Harry was passionate about financial freedom and impacting his community.

Married for 53 years, Harry dearly loved his wife. They loved traveling, dining, and even completing several Columbus Marathons together. They partnered with God to raise their three, beautiful daughters. Harry was blessed with five grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with them - teaching, laughing, playing, and talking. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he loved serving all of his family, generously offering his time, wisdom, and resources.

Harry loved the Lord. One of his favorite scriptures was Genesis 6:3, “yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” He found encouragement and joy by worshipping and praising God, singing along with his gospel favorites, especially from the Mississippi Mass Choir. Harry’s life serves as a testimony of God’s unfailing love. Harry was passionate about the Lord, his family, his work, and enjoying life. He enjoyed serving in the Higher Ground food pantry for several years. Harry cheered on the Cleveland Browns and The Ohio State Buckeyes, through good times and bad.

He is survived by his wife Debra (Gray) of Gahanna, OH, daughters Shehara (Sean) Wooten of Dayton, OH, Shawna (Patrick) Flythe of Gahanna, OH, Angelica (Pascal) Ouandji of Ottawa, Canada, sisters Linda Smallwood of Atlanta, GA and Paula Smallwood of Columbus, OH, sisters-in-law Mary Perdue of Altadena, CA and Maxine Perdue of Steubenville, OH, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.