Dennis the son of Robert  and Ronell Smalls, Jr., was born on May 14, 1964 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He departed this life on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 in St. Stephen, South Carolina.

Dennis was educated in the Berkeley County School System, graduating from St. Stephen High School, Class of 1982. Upon graduation, Dennis enlisted in the United States Army as a Logistics Specialist. While serving his country, he pursued studies in Electrical Engineering at Limestone College. After serving his country for 20 years, Dennis retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). His meritorious service and commitment to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Dennis was a faithful soldier for the Lord. He served as a dedicated member of Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, from childhood to adulthood. As a committed servant of the Kingdom, Dennis was very active in Sunday School. He served as the Assistant Superintendent from 1999-2003. He held the position of Vice President of the Sunday School Convention of the Diocese of the Southeast from one year. Subsequently, he earned the position as Superintendent of the Sunday School, and served diligently until his passing.

Dennis was united in Holy Matrimony to Vanessa J. Edwards in 2002. They were blessed with one son, Tavian Cole Smalls.

Dennis possessed a passion for physical fitness; he acquired his training certification and worked at Gold's Gym, as a personal trainer. After receiving a diagnosis of cancer, Dennis made it his mission to create awareness and share his experience with anyone with an attentive ear. He used his testimony to educate both men and women on breast cancer awareness and the importance of being health conscious and proactive towards healthcare. He travelled across the Carolinas and Georgia promoting awareness and prevention to both men and women. As if spanning parts of the Southeast wasn't enough, Dennis courageously climbed the top of Camel's Hump Mountain in Huntington, VT, with a group of other cancer survivors. As a natural born leader, Dennis eagerly stepped up to the plate each year, leading "The Race for the Cure" with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Additional community involvement in, but not limited to: the Annual Cooper River Bridge Run; the Charleston Dragon Boat - a nonprofit organization whose mission it is to promote the mental and physical wellness of cancer survivors and their community through the sport of dragon boating. He also loved sports - especially the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bulls.

Dennis sustained faith in God, coupled with his unyielding love for his family empowered him to fight cancer like the valiant soldier that he was.

Left to cherish fond memories are: his loving and devoted wife, Vanessa; their son, Tavian; his daughter, Sage; his parents, Robert and Ronnell Smalls, Jr.; two brothers, James Lee (Inetha) Smalls and Simon Smalls; two sisters, Ansonia Glover and Nicole Smalls all of St. Stephen, SC; two goddaughters, Jaylan McKinley Dubose and Alaysha Samira Rogers; his best friend (like a brother), Varick Kennedy; a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.