Charles William Smallwood IV

Charles William Smallwood, IV, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the age of 94. Charles was born to Charles and Edwina (Morton) Smallwood in Columbus, Ohio, on March 13, 1932, and was the second of their three children. His elder sister, Shirley Jean (Smallwood) Hale, preceded him in death; he is survived by his younger brother, Howard DuBois Smallwood.

After graduating from Columbus, Ohio’s East High School in 1949, Charles worked alongside his father, who was a Master Butcher and proprietor of Smallwood’s Market on Mt. Vernon Avenue and Smallwood’s Meat Market in the historic Columbus East Market. Smallwood’s Country Style Sausage was so popular that Charles was considering going into business with his father to franchise their products when the Korean War draft called him into military service. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 20 and quickly achieved petty officer standing as a 3rd Class Electrician’s Mate aboard the USS Gunston Hall. Charles advanced to 2nd Class by December 1954, and the following June he had earned the title “slick arm first,” a slang term for sailors who advanced to 1st Class ahead of the usual pace. His discharge in 1956 was accompanied by a recommendation for reentry and invitation to consider a naval career.

Charles was joined in holy matrimony to Marilyn Beatrice Johnson on June 9, 1955. To this union, a son, Charles William V, and a daughter, Stephanie Ellen, were born in 1956 and 1965. In 1960, he started work as a wireman and tester for Western Electric, and his 1964 promotion to supervisor made Charles one of the company’s first Black section chiefs. With company support backed by the GI Bill, he took evening classes at Ohio State University, received a B.S. in Industrial Management in 1967, and was promoted to Department Chief in 1968. Charles remained with Western Electric through its restructuring following the breakup of AT&T/Bell Labs, retiring from Lucent Technologies in the mid-1990s. He took great pride in having contributed to the desegregation of America’s corporate managerial ranks.

Charles started his life of Christian service at Union Grove Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he was baptized at an early age and was known for the beautiful stage sets he built for the annual Christmas and Easter plays. He joined First Baptist Church of Chesterfield after a corporate transfer brought his family to Missouri in 1978. At FBCC, Charles was beloved for his tireless dedication to his church family. He served cheerfully and enthusiastically wherever there was need, including the Youth Ministry, Treasury Board, Laymen’s League, and Men’s Chorus. His passion for Biblical study and gift for teaching made Wednesday Noon Bible Study a special place for fellowship and spiritual growth. Whether overseeing the annual Laymen’s League breakfast or assembling Thanksgiving baskets for families in need, his culinary and managerial skills made Charles a constant presence in the church kitchen. Chuck’s Punch and his top-secret barbeque sauce recipe were legendary!

Charles was a devoted husband and father who proudly supported his children in whatever goals they pursued and cared for his wife with extraordinary dedication as her health declined over the last decade of her life. He enjoyed tennis and fishing trips with his circle of close friends at FBCC and never saw a home or car repair he couldn’t fix himself. He will be remembered for his boundless curiosity, deeply methodical mind, tireless energy and charisma, and the joyful, humble spirit with which he committed himself to Christian faith.

In addition to his parents and sister, Charles was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marilyn. He leaves to cherish his memory: his brother, Howard Smallwood of Columbus, Ohio; his children, Charles William Smallwood V of Columbus, Ohio and Dr. Stephanie Ellen Smallwood of Seattle, Washington; nephew Churchill Wesley (Katinka) Hale of Dayton, Ohio, great nephews Christopher Hale of Dayton, Ohio and Matthew (Rebecca) Billingsley of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and great niece Gabrielle Moore of Dayton, Ohio; cousins Norma Jean (A.C.) McCall of Columbus, Ohio, Adam (Tamara) McCall of Columbus, Ohio, Lorenzo Miller of Columbus, Ohio, and Victor Miller of Columbus, Ohio; cousins Angela Pace of Columbus, Ohio, Carlla (Ricardo) Banner of Columbus, Ohio, Robin DeLoatch of Columbus, Ohio, Eric (Gail) Dulaney of Columbus, Ohio, and Roderick Dulaney of Columbus, Ohio; cousins Celestine Coleman of Newark, New Jersey, Daniel M. Sinclair of Columbus, Ohio, Mark (Elizabeth) Coleman of Newark, New Jersey, and Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio; cousin E. Lynn Smallwood-Ray of Columbus, Ohio; cousin David (Kim) Hairston of Columbus, Ohio; niece Marna (Rodriquez) Hale-Bailey of Cleveland, Ohio and nephew Hilton Hale of Columbus, Ohio; dear friends Clairessa Cooley, Rudy Carter, and Everett Sanders of Columbus, Ohio; and an extended network of cousins and friends who are like family in Columbus, Ohio and Chesterfield, Missouri.