Kenneth Wells Smallwood

View Funeral WebcastKenneth Wells Smallwood, 90, retired employee of the Federal Government and resident of Walnut Lane, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at NHC Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 9:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Henry Coles, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.Born July 6, 1927 in Newark, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Arthur Clayton Smallwood, Sr. and the late Hazel Mae Wells Smallwood. On April 28, 1956, he married Lillian Marie Cook Smallwood who preceded him in death November 17, 2016. After graduating from high school in Newark, New Jersey, class of 1945, Mr. Smallwood joined the United States Army and spent time in Japan during his service. In 1947, when he exited the Army he used his G.I. bill to obtain a Bachelor's degree in English from Rutgers University in 1950. He worked hard and completed a 4-year degree in only three years. Mr. Smallwood worked for the Veteran's Administration, U.S. Civil Service Commission, The National Labor Relations Board, The Small Business Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance in Dearborn, Michigan where he retired. He was very active in the civil rights movement, including working for urban organizations to gain equal access for minority skilled tradesmen. Mr. Smallwood enjoyed watching professional football. An avid reader, book collector and writer, he self-published two books, "The Right and The Left" and "American Cauldron". He had several short stories, articles, and poems published as well. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean K. Smallwood Bettis; and brother Arthur Clayton Smallwood, Jr. Survivors include his daughter, Susan V. (Ted) Logan of Spring Hill; son, Mark W. (Jennifer Easley) Smallwood of Spring Hill; grandchildren, Rachel V. Logan; Trey E. Logan; Joshua Z. Smallwood; nieces, Anne Ndiaye; Linda Akli; Teresa Tersy; Ella Morrison; nephew, Cal Morrison; a first cousin, Hazel "Happy" Wells Jones; and a host of other relatives.