Rev. Ethel Deloris Smith

The life of Rev. Ethel Deloris (Gay) Smith began on March 9, 1943, in Gillham, Louisiana, where she was born to J.D. Gay and Martha Gay. She was the fourth of twelve children. Rev. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, J.D. Gay and Martha Gay; her granddaughter, Taylor Smith; three brothers, Dennis Gay, William Gay, and Greg Gay; three sisters, Ernestine Fountain, Ida Mae McKeever, and Martha “Helen” Morris; and her beloved husband, Deacon Willie Smith Jr. Rev. Smith graduated from Herndon High School in 1960. Soon afterward, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Wallace Hartsfield. She became an active and faithful member of the church. In 1966, she married “the love of her life,” Deacon Willie Smith Jr. To this union, four children were born. Rev. Smith later joined Southside Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Fred Johnson and later the late Dr. Robert Stephens. She served faithfully in the church, using her gifts and talents to serve God and His people. Later, Rev. Smith became one of the founding members of Peace Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Robert Stephens. Under his leadership, she accepted her calling into the ministry. In 1999, she became the second pastor of Peace Baptist Church, where she faithfully served for 13 years before retiring from the pastorate. Rev. Smith furthered her education by graduating from Penn Valley Community College with an Associate Degree in Child Development. She later attended seminary, where she studied theology and deepened her knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Professionally, Ethel worked for GEHA for 19 years and retired in 2000. Following her retirement, she devoted herself to serving in ministry full-time. Rev. Smith was known by many as a true prayer warrior. She trusted God with her whole heart and lived a life that reflected her faith. She was a woman of prayer, strength, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith. She not only professed her faith in God, but she demonstrated it through her daily life. There is so much more to Ethel’s life than could ever be captured on paper. Her life touched countless people, and her love, wisdom, prayers, and presence will remain in the hearts of all who knew her. To know her was truly to love her. She leaves to cherish her precious memory, four children: Yolanda Smith Marzett of Dallas, Texas; Byron Smith (Shanika) of Kansas City, Missouri; Dewayne Smith of Kansas City, Missouri; and Ericka Smith of Kansas City, Missouri. She also leaves to cherish her memory, two brothers: Wayne Gay (Susie) of Vivian, Louisiana, and Johnnie Gay (Shirley) of Austin, Texas; and three sisters: Eunice Lane of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Nancy (Herman) Johnson of Houston, Texas; and Susie (Earl) Goodwin of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by her former son-in-law, Jamie Marzett, whom she loved as a son; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, and friends. Rev. Ethel Deloris (Gay) Smith leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, service, and prayer. Well done, thy good and faithful servant.