Robert E Smith

The Beginning

Robert E. Smith was born in Betonia, Mississippi to the parents of Robert L. Smith and Elsie Smith. He attended China Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of 12 years old. He attended Sunday School and was a member of the Young People’s Department under the leadership of Pastor, Reverend Johnson. He was educated in the Mississippi Public School system and was an active member of his school’s basketball team. Throughout high school he worked part-time jobs and in the search for more substance in his life, Robert E. Smith later entered the U.S. Navy in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was then sent to Great Lakes, Illinois’ Naval Base for basic training. After successfully completing basic training, he traveled over many seas and throughout different countries, the world was truly his oyster. During these years, he was absent from the church until the Lord showed him his way back.

Heart for the Church

In 1982, Robert E. Smith was led to the House of Faith Church, NY where he was ordained as Junior Deacon under the leadership of Prophetess Elsie Burnett. God was absolutely preparing him for greater work. In 1984, Robert E. Smith was ordained as a Minister and in 1988, he was led by the Holy Spirit to First King Baptist Church, NY where he became an Assistant Pastor under the leadership of Pastor Willie Mae Wiggs. After the passing of Pastor Wiggs, Robert E. Smith was installed as an Elder and became the Pastor of First King. In 2002 he was once again led by the Holy Spirit to see Apostle Charles Mason of Christ Temple Church, NY where he was ordained as a Bishop accepting the calling of an Apostle. 

As the Pastor of First King Baptist Church, Apostle Robert E. Smith’s motto was ‘Jesus is the answer.’ He put God first in all that he did. His favorite scripture was Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Apostle Smith loved and cared for the well being of his members. He believed in teaching his congregation. He gave his members opportunities to grow and prosper in First King. He wanted everyone to have something to do in the church. After members studied and proved themselves worthy, Apostle Smith granted them permission to hold positions in the church. His work for the Lord did not stop at First King. He was also a member of the International Evangelistic Women Workers, Inc. and he was the Chairman of the We Can Ministry Organization. He traveled annually to South Carolina with Bishop Eli Getaw of New Hope PC, NY to teach in a noon-day service for a week-long Consecration. As Apostle Smith began to slow down in pace, he never gave up ministering to anyone within his reach and he is best remembered as a father to all the children in the church. He would always refer to them as “my” children and no one could mess with papa’s children. 

Family First

Robert E. Smith met his beautiful wife Nettie L. Smith on November 5, 1977 while he was a plumber. The Land-lady led him to her apartment to fix the sink. We can all agree that it was love at first sight because he prolonged the job so he could get to know her better. She fed him and they were stuck on each other ever since then. On May 24,1980, Apostle Smith and Evangelist Nettie L. Smith, were married. He was a devoted husband to his wife, who he affectionately called “Sweetie” for 44 years. You would hear him say Sweetie the most when it was dinner time, because we all know he loved her cooking and good food fed his soul. Dinner time is where they would talk about their hopes, dreams, accomplishments and the love they had for each other and their family. Apostle Smith was a supportive and hard-working father. He always wanted the best for his children and loved them deeply. His teaching skills really started when he became a dad. There were always lessons to give, manual skills to pass on, words of encouragement, plenty of joyous times, and he gave the blueprint to love, life, and happiness. He made sure they all knew the Lord in an intimate way. Now, his soft spot was all of his grandchildren. He would talk about them day in and day out. He would brag about them every chance he could and was excited to see them grow and thrive in the world, especially Josiah, his protege, his whole heart. Apostle Smith, had a great relationship with his brother Lawrence who he adored. He also had an amazing love for his in-laws; he considered them his own, especially his sister-in-law Elizabeth who he referred to as Lizzie, they were good friends. You would know when you have encountered someone from the Smith Clan because his infectious smile, laugh, and love for life had been embedded into them all. 

Loved By Many 

When Apostle Smith wasn’t working for himself at RES General Contractor or Pastoring, you would find him standing on the stoop of the church enjoying the neighborhood. He was a pillar in the community, there wasn’t a person that he would allow to remain a stranger in his company. He loved to talk and had the “gift of gab" and people would draw to him effortlessly. Anyone that has been in the presence of Apostle Smith definitely has some stories to tell. 

Forever In Our Hearts

Another of Apostle Smith’s favorite scriptures was Psalm 122:1, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord. Apostle Smith transitioned on February 3, 2021 and one thing we know for sure is he is with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Smith and Elsie Smith; his in-laws, Norman Jones and Nettie Jones, and his grandson Roland “Tookie Smith Jr. He leaves to celebrate his life, his faithful wife, Evangelist Nettie L. Smith; his amazing children, Robin, Roland, Lashawn, Francis, Ricky, Roberta, Betty, Lamont, Michael, Robert, and Rodney; his awesome grandchildren; his wonderful brother, Lawrence Smith, Pastor of Emmanuel PC in Brook Haven Mississippi and his beautiful wife Gwen; his loving in-laws; a hosts of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, children and friends in Christ, community members, and all those he genuinely loved. His presence was necessary and we will cherish the moments that we were favored to have with him.

How lucky we are to have known someone that makes saying goodbye so hard.

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