With mixed emotions of sadness and joy we share the news that our daddy, Rev. A.G. Smith, Sr. returned home.
He was born June 5, 1934 in Lenoir County to Joe Riley Smith and Rosa Carter Smith who preceded him in death along with his brothers: Joseph, Ira, Braxton, Eugene, and David.
He leaves behind his wife, Lula, who was the love of his life for 65 years. Together they shared many adventures, assignments, and missions.
He answered the call to join the United States Army and returned to Kinston upon completing his service. Soon afterwards, they started a family and had a daughter and a son.
He retired from E.I. Dupont De Nemours and Company where he was an electrician for more than thirty years. During that time, he answered his second call to go into ministry for Jesus Christ. He received his ordination to minister in the Eastern Conference of the Original Free Will Baptists of North Carolina in 1974. He, along with our mom, began what dad called “the ministry of God’s love”. Their motto was, “Win the lost at any cost”.
Because of his love for God’s people, he retired early to minister full time. He served as pastor to many churches, including Saint’s Delight Free Will Baptist Church, Scuffleton; Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church, Blounts Creek; Watery Branch Free Will Baptist Church, Stantonsburg; Grant’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Seven Springs; Woodington Free Will Baptist Church, Jackson Heights Free Will Baptist Church, and People’s Free Will Baptist Church all in Kinston.
Over his forty plus years of service to God’s call on his life, many souls were touched, changed, and saved by his easy, quiet compassion and love. Many baptisms and marriages were done. Among them were the marriages of his children and granddaughter. He was involved with many building programs and church plants because of the vision God gave him for each place.
He loved fishing, gardening, and looked forward every year to the bounty of vegetables, grapes, blueberries, and pecans that were produced at his home. He loved and anticipated seeing the purple martins fly in and hear their song.
He was and remains throughout eternity a true example of the Father’s extravagant love to man. The light of the Holy Spirit shined out of him to others. His favorite scripture is John 3:16.
He loved singing, “Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by. You will find that He’s not too busy to hear your heart’s cry. He is passing by this very moment; your needs He will supply. Reach out and touch the Lord as he goes by”.
His greatest love and joy in life is his beloved wife as well as his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His wife, Lula Phillips Smith; daughter, Jo Hollowell and husband, Ricky; son, A.G. Smith, Jr. and wife, Sandy; grandchildren, Rachel Cameron and husband, Colby, Riley Smith, and Ramsey Smith; and great-grandchildren, Mallie and Archie.
God speed, daddy. We can’t wait to see you and Mitzy again.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to www.smiletrain.org, a ministry to children with clef palates.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
