Sister Patricia A. Smith was a pillar within the church and played an integral part in the building process at Flagg Memorial Church of God. Sis. Smith was very serious and concerned about the work of the Lord and was committed to every role she had within the church.

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Sis. Smith was a devoted wife to her husband Robert A Smith for 35 years. Sis. Smith exemplified what it meant to be a devoted wife. The bible describes a virtuous woman in Proverbs 12:4 as “a crown to her husband” and Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman because of all her righteous attributes. Verses 10-11 says “who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She was and still is an example to women of all ages of how to truly love.

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Sis. Smith was not only devoted to her husband but her three children, Robert A Smith, Jr., Reverend Roderick Smith and Robin Walton. Mothers have so many qualities that are passed along to their children and Sis Smith passed down her leadership qualities and her desire for her family to be united. She was strong but also very caring and her children embody those same characteristics.

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Sis Smith came to the Burlington Church of God at the end of 1972 with her husband Brother Smith after her mother Sister Bertha Grimes invited her to service. She was elected Pastor’s Aide president in 1981 and assumed the role as church clerk the same year. She worked for over 35 years in the church. Sis. Smith was also a member of the executive board committee at Flagg Memorial Church of God.

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Sis Smith was dedicated to all the many roles she had within the church and she was a faithful Armor Bearer to our late Bishop Roosevelt Flagg and our current pastor Shepherd Mother Edythe Flagg. Sis. Smith had a gift for knowing the needs of the pastor without even being told what was needed, she just always seemed to know. When she was given a directive she didn’t waste time getting the task done. Shepherd Mother frequently referred to Sis Smith as her right arm and she was well trusted with important church matters. Sis. Smith had many sayings over the years but her saying but “each one teach one” was the fabric of her very being. Sis. Smith loved to empower others not only with knowledge but with skills that could be applied in everyday life. She was a very wise person and was apt to teach.

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Sis Smith treasured the scripture where Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:11 about being “profitable for the ministry” and her desire was to make sure that work of the Lord be done with gravity. Personally she evaluated her life and work for the Lord to make sure she was pleasing the Lord and she was edifying the body of Christ. She encouraged the church members to do the same.

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You may build a cathedral large or small.
You may build a skyscraper grand or tall.
You may conquer all the failures of the past.
But only what you do for Christ will last.

 

Lyrics for 'Only What You Do For Christ' by Ron Roper.

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Author: Evangelist Stephanie Jackson, History Committee