Evangelist Alverma Smith

SMITH, Evangelist Alverma - Age 75, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, October 11, 2013 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Cathedral of Faith Ministries C.O.G.I.C., 6031 Dupont St., with Homegoing Service commencing at 11 a.m. Supt. James E. Walker, Jr., officiating, Supt. Christopher Martin, Host Pastor. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Evangelist Smith will lie in state at Cathedral of Faith Ministries C.O.G.I.C. and may be viewed Friday, October 18, 2013 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. with Homegoing Celebration from 7-9 p.m. Mother Alverma (Calip) Smith was born May 6, 1938 in Lindale, Texas to parents; Ms. Lula Calip and Mr. Freeman Evans. Her grandparents, Mr. John Arnold and Jannie Calip raised her in the fear of GOD. Her early spiritual experience was nurtured in the Methodist and C.O.G.I.C. churches of Lindale. In 1958, with the blessing of her grandfather, she moved to Flint with her God-Mother Juanita Ross. “Mother” loved momma just as she loved her own children. She served in many capacities at Deliverance. She was very active in the local, district, and state work throughout her life in the church. She was a pro at fundraising. Some of her most enjoyable times serving were in the Sunday School, Sunshine Band, Ministers Wives, Mothers Board, Sewing Circle, Home and Foreign Missions, and the Music and Youth Ministries. Her favorite scripture is: I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work. (St. John 9:4) Mother Smith was a homemaker, who trained her eight children in the admonition of the “Lord!” She was an avid reader of the Bible and taught us the same. She loved poetry, mostly by Helen Steiner Rice. She never slacked in her duties, home first, then abroad. She was a very active parent in the Beecher and Flint Community School Districts. She taught her children the importance of God, education, making and reaching goals. Mother Smith was famous for being an awesome cook. She loved baking, and cooking almost anything. She prepared a spread for royalty, especially during the holidays and family celebrations. She also loved shopping, traveling, and spending time with her family. She was a faithful wife for 51 ½ years to the late Dr. Zack Smith, Sr. until he went home to be with the LORD on Valentine’s Day 2012. “Sis. Smith was the only hen that sat on his eight eggs”, as our daddy would say. Their love story was everlasting and a great example to single and married couples young and old. This year Mother Smith celebrated 50 years as co-founder of the Deliverance Church of GOD In CHRIST and her Diamond (75th) birthday on May 6. To GOD be the Glory for the things he has done! The awesome legacy of our parents will live on through their eight children: Niketta (Michael) Fleming, Eld. Zack Jr. (Alta) Smith, Emmanuel (Annie) Smith, John (Donett) Smith, Alverma Denise (Sam) Sanders III, Gwendolyn (James) Richardson, Katrina Smith and Deadrea Smith; 18 grandchildren, Keon, Micah and Quinyatta Atkins, Faith and Zack Anthony Smith, Emmanuel Jr., Shaquan and Sherita Smith, Imari, Aleah, John Jr. and Jared Smith, Demetrius, Gwendolyn and Ja’Len Sanders, Doris, James Jr. and Diamond Richardson; special grandson, Jonathan Blanchard; one great granddaughter, Ariel Mizell; sisters, Dorothy Mae Collins, Evangelist Erma Lee Young, Evelyn (Robert) Dorsey, Evangelist Joyce Ray and Jacqueline Calip, Lorraine Marshall, Jeraldine Williams, Alecia Pettigrew, Dorothy Denmore and Ermogene Hayes, all of Tyler, TX; brothers, Eld. Bennie Ray (Mary) Calip, Dea. McKinley Andrews, Rev. Ronald Ross, Dennis Releford and Cleveland (Lisa) Evans of Mesquite, TX, Cortess (Tonni) Evans of Tyler, TX; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Missionary Norma Stanley Thompson, Missionary Mary Charles, Pastor Earl Fisher, Bro. Charlie (Carol) Mitchell, Barian (Javonna) Vaughan, Solomon (Shelia) Buford, and the entire Deliverance Church of God in Christ family. The family would like to express special thanks to: Tyanna Conner, Dr. Elmaadi Saeed, Loving Hands, Pastor James E. Walker and Faith Gospel Temple COGIC, Supt. and Miss’y Christopher Martin and Cathedral of Faith COGIC, Bishop and Mrs. Urundi Knox and Ebenezer Ministries, and our awesome Deliverance COGIC family.

Evangelist Alverma Smith

May 6, 1938 - October 11, 2013