“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).
On Friday, June 7, 2019, God called his faithful servant, Pastor Absalom Smith, Sr. from labor to reward. He was faithful over a few things and is now ruler over many things enjoying the joy of the Lord.
Pastor Smith was born May 3, 1954 in Saginaw, Michigan to Archie Sr. and Mary Alice Smith. He accepted Christ at a young age and accepted his call to the ministry at a young age as well. He organized St. Luke Temple COGIC and remained Pastor until God called him home. He attended college and was employed with Memtron Technologies.
Pastor Smith enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking and singing. He loved quartet music and you could find him singing along to the Canton Spirituals anytime you were around him. He was a joyful and lively man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was selfless, giving, caring and compassionate, full of empathy and love.
Pastor Smith’s greatest joy was his family. He loved his children and adored his grandchildren. He has left a lasting legacy and the work he’s done definitely speaks for him. Well done good and faithful servant.
Pastor Smith was greeted at heaven’s gates by his parents, Archie Sr. and Mary Alice Smith; niece, Andrea Jones; nephew, Craig Burns; other aunties, uncles and great-grandparents.
He leaves to celebrate his life former spouse of thirty years, Tracey Lynn Smith; children, Absalom Smith Jr., Tanyika T. (Hurley III) Coleman, Jordan L. Smith, Tyanna Toney; grandchildren, Ivori, Autumn Smith, Aniya, Emilio Philpotts, Hurley Coleman IV; sisters, Bonnie Peeples, Esther Milton, Betty (Lloyd) Beeman, Dorothy (Roosevelt) Chapman, Linda Kween (Gene) Simmons; brothers, Archie Jr. (Gloria), Aaron Sr. (Patricia) Smith; eleven nieces; eleven nephews; two aunts; two uncles; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Ingrid) and Thomas Smith; godchildren, Janell, Jayvon Pitts, Marquetta Taylor, Aviel Smith; many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special cousin Dennis Chism, special friends Carlos Darby, Patrice Boulware, Lilly Perkins, Moses Jones, Wendy and Tyler Bryant and Tasha Toney, mother of his daughter, Tyanna.
The family would like to express special thanks to Covenant Healthcare, A&D Healthcare, Odessa Liddell, RN, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Hospital, World Outreach Campus Church Family and Pastor Hurley Jr. and First Lady Sandra Coleman, Linda and Gene Simmons for all that you’ve done, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Haynes, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.
View Funeral Webcast
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pastor Absalom Smith, Sr., please visit our flower store.