Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.

SMITH, Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Sr., - Age 82, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2020 at McLaren-Flint. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family of Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr. has decided to live stream the celebration service on Friday, April 3, 2020 via lemoonfhflint@gmail.com. There will be no public viewing. Bishop Robert Earl Smith Sr. was born May 26, 1937 near Brooksville, Mississippi in a rural community called Shuqualak, MS to Thomas Smith and Thelma Calmese Smith. In 1952, Bishop Smith led his mother and other siblings to catch a train which brought them to Flint, MI. Soon after, Bishop Smith received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and became a member of the St. James (Selby Street) Church of God in Christ (COGIC), under the pastorate of Elder James Markum. Bishop Smith was educated through the Flint Public School Systems, graduating from Flint Northern High School, 1956. After High School, Bishop Smith served the United States Armed Forces in the branch of the Air Force. While stationed in Paris, France, Bishop Smith received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and his call to preach. He preached his first sermon in Paris, entirely in French. Bishop Smith also began his post-secondary education while in the Armed Services at the University of Maryland, majoring in the French language. He became fluent enough in French to be chosen by the commander of the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) to drive military superiors around the country of France on tour. After his military tour of duty, he continued his education at the Mott Community (Junior) College in Flint, and later at the University of Michigan. After an Honorable Discharge, Bishop Smith married the beautiful Gilda Jean Sewell, June 11, 1960. To their union were born 4 children. Shortly thereafter, Bishop Smith was assigned as the Senior Pastor at the White Cloud (now the White Cloud Empowerment Center) COGIC, White Cloud, MI, where he has faithfully served for 54 years. Bishop Smith and his family have traveled over 1 million miles serving this ministry. Bishop Smith was respected for his Prophetic gifting and Ministry of encouragement. Soul winning was his passion. He was celebrated for taking his bull horn to the mall or street corner and telling people, “Jesus loves you, and so do I.” He especially focused on those often overlooked. Bishop Smith was proud of the more than 40 years he was emloyed by AC Spark Plug (Delphi), a division of General Motors. He had a reputation there for praying for people and starting a meeting with prayer even without permission. Bishop Smith’s tenure in COGIC afforded him the opportunity to serve at the highest levels of the Church, including as Vice President of the International Sunday School Department, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop P. A. Brooks, General Board Member and Prelate of the Historic First Jurisdiction of Michigan (Northeast), Chairman of the Auxiliaries In Ministries (AIM) for Michigan Northeast, Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent, Michigan Northeast, Chairman of Finance and beloved Bible Teacher. Bishop Smith believed in education, and served as the initial Dean of the C.H. Mason Bible College, Flint Branch, founded by Bishop P.A. Brooks. In 2012, Bishop Smith was appointed by Bishop P.A. Brooks as Pastor at the Deliverance COGIC, Flint, MI. Then, in 2017, Bishop Smith founded the Southfield Fellowship Church in Southfield, MI to serve that community. Most recently, Bishop Smith was convinced he was doing more ministry than ever before when he discovered “Facebook Live.” Through this medium, he connected with people from around the globe, teaching, supporting, helping and encouraging them. Bishop Robert Earl Smith Sr. leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Mother Gilda J. Smith; His children Pastor Robert E. Smith, Jr. of Flint; Elder David B. (Evangeline) Smith of Tulsa, OK; Elder Craig M. Smith of Flint; five grandchildren, David Benjamin of Kansas City, MO, Je’Angelle, Ariana, and Kadance Smith, all of Tulsa, OK; Isaiah Smith of Indianapolis, IN; one great-grandson, Sophi Smith of Kansas City, MO; five brothers, Pastor Thomas (Margaret) Murdock of Tampa, FL, Thomas Smith, Jr. and David Smith both of Johnstown, PA; Aubrey Hudson of Flint and Sherman Hudson of Chicago; six sisters, Mother Erilean (Willie) McGee, Evangelist Johnnie (Pastor Albert) Hall, Lacy Newberry of El Paso, TX, Mary King Smith of Johnstown, PA, Evangelist Clemistine Miskel and Flora (James) Holston, both of Chicago. Bishop Smith leaves a host of cousins including Elder William Lucas of Toledo, OH; a host of nieces, grand-nieces, nephews (including one of his spiritual sons, Minster Maurice Martin of Flint), grand-nephews as well as spiritual sons and daughters across the country and around the world. Two of his nieces were more like daughters, Givena Hall and Carol (Elder Brian) Walton; special daughter, Mary Ann Martin. Bishop Smith also enjoyed a special relationship with his daughters-in-love, Lucinda Smith, Courtney Buggs and Ruby Gill. Bishop Smith was preceded in death by his father, Bishop Thomas Smith, Sr., his mother, Mother Thelma Hudson, step-mother, Dora Smith, one daughter, Renee, his sisters, Thelma Stonewall and Marie Martin, one step-sister Carrie Black, three brothers, Richard Smith, Wilson Lee Smith and Kenis Hudson.

Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.

May 26, 1937 - March 26, 2020