Pastor Paul Smith

(WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME does not own the rights to this song)

Paul Smith, was born to the late William Henry and Mary Fannie Smith on February 6, 1938, in Mt. Holly, VA. He was the baby of eleven children. Very early on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 5:54 am Paul received a summons from his earthly house of pain and suffering, to his mansion just over the hilltop, on the eternal streets of glory.

Paul was educated in the public schools of Westmoreland County, where he graduated from A.T. Johnson High School. It was there he played basketball and met a young lady Ida Lane who he married and from this union three children were born; Theresa, Vivian, and Timothy. When this union was dissolved with Ida leaving, Paul stepped up and bore he mantle of a true father by raising his three children. He had the help and support of a large village while working two and three jobs most of the time. He was an avid farmer, waterman, and even a supervisor at Arrowhead Industrial plant. He also found enjoyment in hunting deer, and was the best deer and gravy cooker around. His skills of cooking were passed along to his children.

Several years after his children were grown and able to stand on their own two feet he met a young lady named Edith Edwards who stole his heart, and from this union came two more Smith children; Samuel and Angela. Paul was an extraordinary father and husband. His family loved him beyond measure, as well as his children’s friends.

After moving to Richmond, Virginia he was employed by the Virginia Department of Transportation until he retired.

Pastor Paul as he was known to so many was raised in a God-fearing home with his ten brothers and sisters. He taught Sunday School, played the piano, and then accepted his
call to ministry while at the Mt. Olive Holiness Church. He was licensed and ordained by the Mt. Sinai Holy Churches of America, Inc and later became the Pastor of Mt. Olive in __1997____. He retired from the pastorate at Mt. Olive in 2013, but never lost his hunger for the salvation of the souls of men and women in the Northern Neck.
Paul loved visiting the sick and praying for them. Helping the needy, and those less fortunate. His life’s mission was to win souls for Christ and to share God’s love. He could strike up a conversation with strangers and make them feel like he had known them for years.

After leaving Mt. Sinai Holy Churches of America and his earnest desire to fulfill the call of God on his life Pastor Paul prayed and listened to the voice of God, and joined the
National Fellowship Churches of God, Inc. under the leadership of Apostle Ivan L. Grant, Sr. and Bishop Forrest Nance, Jr. Not long after, being led by the spirit of God Pastor Emeritus and Bishop Nance established Faith Temple Church where he served faithfully as the Assistant Pastor. Desiring to gain more knowledge and wisdom he enrolled in the National Fellowship Churches of God Bible Institute. In 2016, Pastor Paul joined the ranks of their growing Alumni. His dedication to the completion of the curriculum, confirms that one’s passion for a greater knowledge through the advance study of God’s Word has no age limits. Because he was the most senior graduate of his class, he was given the Messenger Merit Award. He also held the honor of being the first Emeritus Pastor, and because of his faithfulness and wisdom to the Body of Christ and the National Fellowship Church of God he was consecrated as the first Father of the Nation of NFCOG. Pastor Paul endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. When his health began to fail and he depended on oxygen he never let that stop him from doing the work God called him to do. Even these last few weeks in the hospital he was making full proof of his ministry. He was an example of Christ in word and in deed. He truly fought a good fight and has gone to get his reward.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Fannie Smith, and his six brothers; Benjamin, Sam, Malachi, William, Jeremiah, and Daniel; four sisters, Marie, Ruth, Mary, and Ellen; and beloved son Timothy.

He leaves to cherish fond memories; his wife of 39 years Edith Edwards Smith, four children; Theresa Sellers (Leroy), Rev. Vivian, and Samuel and Angela; seven grandchildren, Lakychia, Latoyia, Telmira, Jamiria, Charles, John III, and Darius; great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, and a host of other loving family and friends.

This servant of the Most High God will be missed.

The Family

Home going services for Pastor Paul Smith will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 1130AM at the Community's Christian Church, 9514 Richmond Road, Warsaw, Virginia,

Interment will follow in the Mt. Olive Holiness Church Cemetery, St. Paul's Road, Warsaw, Virginia.

Pastor Smith may be viewed on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 5PM until 7PM in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME, and on Monday May 24, 2021 from 1030AM until service time in the Community's Christian Church.

"In compliance with state mandated guidelines to slow the spread of Covid-19 EVERYONE MUST wear a mask or face covering and social distancing is required.”

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