Thomas "Tommy" Smalls

“A charge to keep I have,

a God to glorify,

a never-dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky…       

I have come

so that you may have life

and have it more abundantly…

If any man calls unto me

He’ll live eternally.

So send I you…”

Tommy was a man nobody can replace… at least not in my heart.  We were together for 15 years.  Yes, those 15 years were not all that happy.  What we had was not perfect but as people would say… Tommy and I were perfect for each other and we were!  He loved his children tremendously.  Tommy never feared showing his emotions towards, me or to just about anyone he loved.  He was indeed affectionate and was not a man of few words at all!  Tommy had lots to say for just about anything.  Anyone who ever had the chance to talk to him would say, he indeed had lots of things in his mind. I guess you can say Tommy was “opinionated”.

I still remember one conversation I had with him recently.  We were talking about Kendra and Carter and about how he  wanted to see them grow up.  He had lots of dreams for them.  Tommy was a proud father.  He was the type of father who would flaunt his kids to his friends, and even passing strangers  Tommy dreamt big.  He wanted his kids to grow up wise, God fearing, respectful and successful people.  I am proud to say, Tommy will achieve that.  

Tommy lived his life the best way he could.  He struggled with his demons and they oft times got the best of him.  He loved his family and was a hard worker he would often say “gotta go to work, gotta keep heat in the house, my daddy never liked a cold house and neither do I” in the winter the house was like a furnace.  He would prefer to open a window than to turn the heat down.  Tommy was respected and admired by everyone who knew him.  He possessed an enigmatic personality that simply drew you in and never let you go.  When he smiled that big, engaging smile that.. was it.  I remember the first time I took him to meet my friends; it was 1990, labor day weekend and we went to a barbecue at my best friends house, as I introduced him around everyone was quite taken by his charm and that smile, my friends mom just kept shaking her head and saying “boy he sure got some pretty teeth”.  Every time I saw her after that the first thing she would say to me is “where’s that handsome husband of yours? he sure got some pretty teeth.”

Tommy had a wicked sense of humor he was very funny, had sharp wit and was very good at throwing you a line that left you with nothing to “come back with”.  He could cut you down and yet he would make you laugh so hard that you’d end up crying.  He was smooth,,.. “smoother than a ceiling wax salesman sliding down the street with a bag full of freshly polished samples…”

Tommy loved and had a voracious appetite for music.  He had amassed an impressive collection of albums.  Miles was his favorite.  Most Friday nights I was entertained by Coltrane/ Hendrix/Vaughn/ Metheney/Getz and Parker.  He loved Joni Mitchell, the collaboration with Mingus  was his favorite album, I close my eyes and I can hear him singing “Dry Cleaner from Des Moines”

Tommy is in heaven now.  He’s either fishing with Uncle Bobby, playing cards with Gram or sitting at a turn-table with Dej.  He’s watching his children and protecting them from harm.  Tommy you will always be remembered and you will always live in our hearts for as long as we live.  We love you so much.

Tommy had a voice that was rich, authoritative, resonant, warm, and trusting. Despite it’s depth he had the versatility to use it in ranges from a child to Barry White.   He was great with dialects/accents and could impersonate many stars.  He could do a mean Ronald Reagan. 

Tommy was an excellent Dee Jay.  He felt the best aspect of the job was the creativity that it allowed.  During his days at 1520 WTHE, He played music, chat, delivered news, weather, and held conversations with Gospel Music celebrities and call-in listeners.  Tommy was in command of his audience and was sensitive to his listener’s responses.  He was quick and able to “spin off” on an item in the news or a hot new song. He really thought about how things connected.  His creativity allowed him to develop a large, loyal, listening public.  He was a great programmer as he was able to cultivate a sound that was consistent, had variety and struck the right balance for the station.

When you listened to his shows, especially on a Friday afternoon, the phone lines would be jammed. His listeners would call to say how they felt like they were being “ministered to”.  Some of his favorites were:

Mary, don’t you weep

Old landmark

What a friend we have in Jesus

Precious Memories

(Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace)

Thank you

Angels

Richard Smallwood - Adoration)

So send I You

(Frank A. White Celebration Mass Choir - In the meantime)

Your grace and mercy

(Mississippi Mass Choir)

I won’t complain

Let's go to church