WASHINGTON — Richard Smallwood, a well-known and beloved gospel singer, pianist and songwriter, has died at the age of 77. He passed away Dec. 30 from problems related to kidney failure at a nursing center in Maryland.

The late Calvin Newton of Lookout Mountain, Ga. called his friend Larry Ford the best tenor Gospel singer of his lifetime. Ford died Dec. 13, just three days after his 78th birthday. Mr. Ford was awarded a Grammy in 2003 for Best Southern Gospel Recording.

The gospel community is mourning the loss of another of its great voices. Richard Smallwood — the legendary gospel singer and songwriter whose music touched the world and was reimagined by icons like Destiny’s Child and Whitney Houston — has passed away at the age of 77.

Richard Smallwood, a gospel singer and recording artist nominated eight times for Grammy Awards, has died. He was 77.