Obituary of Bruce Dana Smallwood

Bruce Dana Smallwood, son of the late James Edward Smallwood, Sr. and Lillian M. Wagner was born on May 7, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland. Bruce, the second of three children, suddenly departed this life on Thursday, September 26, 2024. We trust that Bruce is with the Lord, with his mother and father. Bruce graduated from Southwestern High School in 1976. He was also a participant in the Gilman Upward Bound Program that helped to guide his future. During this time, Bruce became a father to his only child, a son, Brandon Darnell Smallwood. As a youngster, Brandon spent time with the family as often as possible. As a young man, Bruce was gifted a camera which ignited his passion for photography. At 15 years old he had a darkroom in a shared a walk-in closet. There was always the smell of developer and fixer solution for his 8x10 black and white photos. He took photography classes in high school and afterwards went on to pursue his passion at the collegiate level at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon returning to Baltimore, Bruce held creative and production positions in a career spanning over 40 years. He was employed at The Baltimore Sunpapers, The Baltimore AFRO-American and Chrome Solutions, to name a few. With a desire to have a top-notch professional studio with a New York appeal, Bruce opened his own studio on South Hanover Street. Later, to further expand his reach into his love of photography, he founded Mt. Vernon Marketing (MVM). Through his company, Bruce had many valued clients from fashion to food and offered services such as, custom photography, video production, print, rebranding and graphic design. One business he started with family and friends was Gospel Gear Apparel. There was seldom a time during family gatherings that Bruce attended, that he would be without a camera to capture the event. Everyone always looked forward to seeing the pictures after being the subject of his lens. Also at a young age, Bruce was quite the drummer. It wasn't always the most pleasant sound in the household, but he did hone his skill as a drummer well enough to play in the talent show in high school. Bruce will be remembered by his son: Brandon Smallwood, his eight grandchildren: Shaqwana, Lyric, Asia, Quran, Kaliyah, Jai'Quan, Nie'kyia, Imara Smallwood; and great-grandchild: Aden Smallwood. Brothers: Jamie, Dameron, and Jacques Smallwood; Sisters: Parris (Bobby) Jackson, Amanda Lipscomb, Joan Smallwood, Marion (Ash) Maynor, Kate Smallwood; Nephews: Jamal and Julion Smallwood, Jabari (Natalie) Jackson, Yosef Jackson, Jaivian Smallwood, Jakai Burrell-Coxson, Jamari Burrell-Coxson; Nieces: Naomi (Emmett) Butler, Imeira Dixon, Da'Sheyll Dixon, Olivia Lipscomb, Demi Walker, and Aaliyah Fields. He leaves a host of cousins, family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Wagner, his father, James E. Smallwood, Sr. and his sister, Tramaine Smallwood.