Memorials › Henry Hershell Smith Jr
Henry Hershell Smith Jr
18 Nov 1939 – 13 Oct 2020
| Birth | 18 Nov 1939 |
| Death | 13 Oct 2020 |
| Cemetery | Morrow Chapel Cemetery Ola , Kaufman County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Brynja Laxfoss Emmons Burns on 16 Oct 2020 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216905046 |
Bio
Henry Hershell Smith Jr was born November 18, 1939, and went to his eternal home on October 13, 2020, at the age of 80. He succumbed to a short but difficult fight with COVID-19 at Baylor Hospital. He was born and raised in the Cedarvale community of Kaufman, Texas, to Henry Hershell Smith Sr and Gracie Florene Glenn Smith. He was the eldest of 15 siblings. He married the love of his life, Rosilee Phileta Nelson, at the age of 16, on November 4, 1956, and November 4, 2020, would have been their 64th wedding anniversary. He surrendered to the ministry at the young age of 19 under the leadership of Tommy Cockerham. He pastored his first church at Oak Hill Bible Baptist Church in Kleberg, Texas, at the age of 20. He went on to pastor five different churches in his ministry lifespan. He was the current pastor of Tolosa Baptist Church in Tolosa (Kemp), Texas. He is survived by his wife, Phileta Smith, five children: Hershell Ray Smith and wife, Brenda, of Kemp, Texas, Donald Smith and wife Diane, of Moore, Oklahoma, Sharon Sankovich of Berryville, Arkansas, Laura Cook and husband, David, of Kemp, Texas, and Philip Smith of Kemp, Texas. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is survived by 13 of his siblings: brothers, Jerry & Judy, James & JoAnn, Sammy & Judith, David & Tina, Mac & Darla, and Daryl; sisters: Nettie & Austin Neslon, Dot Bednar, Shirley Stamper, Vivian & Donny Vickery, Lillian & Roger Crawford, Mary & Billy Whitten, and Helen Roberts. He leaves behind too many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins to list. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Gracie Smith and Beth Golightly. He is survived by numerous friends and relatives. He was known as that little big-mouth preacher. He always had a smile for anyone and never met a stranger. All who came in contact with him would remember him for years, even if they didn’t see him again for a long time. He rarely frowned, and his goal in life was to share God’s love to everyone and make all who were down feel better. There was no room in his life for hate. He was the person others always called when they needed help, and he didn’t hesitate to come to their aid. He loved the Lord, loved preaching God’s word, and loved the church. He enjoyed traveling across the United States and seeing God’s beautiful creation. He traveled to hear good gospel music and even met many artists along his travels who also remember him fondly. But his favorite place to be was behind the pulpit and witnessing people come to salvation. Memorial services are scheduled for October 24, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. and will be held at Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, located at 7650 FM 1388 Kaufman, TX 75142. Due to COVID-19, safety measures of social distancing and face coverings are recommended but are not required.
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