Willie Smith, Jr.

‘’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.  For more than twenty years he took great care of Peace Baptist Church, on a daily basis, along with preparing the baptismal pool, opening the church doors for all services and special requests.  A humble servant of the Lord, Deacon Willie was often asked to say prayer, a request he was always happy to fulfill.  His prayer was always a direct conversation with him and his God, a fierce warrior for Christ and a man of wisdom and teaching directly from the Word of God. 

“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

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Funeral Home Chapel

Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM

Please be mindful that in an effort to maintain social distancing, we will encourage a "steady walk" through our chapel.  Please no sitting or lingering inside before the service time.  Out of respect and for the safety of others and yourself...

Please do not attend if you are ill or without a mask! 

Graveside service 12N

**Expressions of condolence may be left for the family on the Tribute Wall page** 

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