- Date Of Birth: September 10, 1928
- Date Of Death: September 4, 2020
- State: Maryland
‘’And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” Revelation 21:4
On Friday, September 4, 2020 Deacon Willie Smith, Jr. transitioned peacefully to be with his eternal father, in his home in Fort Washington, MD. He is the beloved husband, best-friend and lover of 63 years to Vera Lee Smith, and the dear and loving father to Brenda, his grand daughters Chelle, Ebonay (James) and Teresa (Victor). Deacon Willie is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Chantal Calloway, Malik Anderson, Jayana Jones, Aaliyah Jamison, Jayna Jones, James Jones IV (LJ) Amaya Jamison and Sariah Jamison. Siblings: Boyd Smith (Dorothy) and Ethel Milton. He was predeceased by his parents Willie and Mary Smith. Brothers: Corbett, Sanders, Israel, Clenty, Moses and Harvey James. Sisters: Maebell, Rachel, Louise and Gladys.
Deacon Willie was the eighth of thirteen children, and was born on September 10, 1928, in Camden, South Carolina. He attended the Kershaw County Public Schools and worked on the family farm. He accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior early in his life and was baptized as a member of Candy Hill Baptist Church in Camden, South Carolina. In 1951 he joined the U.S. Army and served for a time in the Korean War. At the end of his enlistment in 1953 he returned to his civilian life in Washington DC.
On December 17, 1955, Deacon Willie was joined in Holy Matrimony to Vera Lee Barnes at New Hope Baptist Church in Washington DC. Shortly after their marriage they joined the Peace Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Stewart Davenport. Over the years, he sang with the Male Chorus, the Senior Choir and the Chorus Choir and was also ordained as a Deacon at Peace Baptist Church.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” Matthew 25:21.
