Pastor Walter Lee Smith Sr.

THIS IS MY STORY...... I was one of six boys born in our home in Lexington, MS, on January 25, 1922, on a farm owned by my parents James Edward Smith and Mary Meckie Smith. I worked on our cotton, corn and pea farm, and attended Ambrose Vocational High School from kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1936, at the age of 14, I accepted Christ and was baptized while attending New Port Missionary Baptist Church of Lexington, Mississippi. While in school at Ambrose, I met my high school sweetheart, Fannie Pitchford. We courted for a time through high school. While Fannie was teaching at a Black-only school, kindergarten to 8th grade in Mississippi, I asked her to marry me and she said, "Yes", which made me the happiest man in the world. On April 26, 1944, we were married. Shortly thereafter, I was drafted into the U.S. Army. I went to Camp Lee in Virginia for basic training and served as a Staff Sergeant in the Philippines, North Korea and South Korea. I was honorably discharged and returned home to my bride. Upon my return from the Army, we were blessed to have our first child (Bobbie) on December 30, 1946. Because the job opportunities around Lexington were very limited, we were encouraged by our parents to leave Mississippi and move north. On March 23, 1947, we arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during an intense snowstorm. While we were settling in, Fannie and I found our first church home, Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, where I sang in the Senior Choir and eventually became a deacon. Fannie and I were blessed to have seven children, during our marriage of 73 years. I was employed at the Milwaukee Solvay Coke plant, where I was able to support my family as a Stationary Fireman, until I retired. My Christian work, however, in and around the church grew stronger each day and people began to tell me that the Lord was calling me to preach. I told them, "I know the Lord is not afraid of me, so why didn't He tell me Himself?" One day, however, while traveling with my family south to Mississippi, we were in an automobile accident in Marion, Arkansas. I heard from the Lord himself. The Lord said, " Look at you. I could have killed you, but I wanted you to live. Now, go do what I want you to do." I said, "Okay, Lord. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it right now!" After I recovered from my injuries and returned to Milwaukee, I remember being overcome by the Holy Spirit at Tabernacle. Before I knew it, I got up out of my seat and went into the Pastor's office to talk. I told Pastor Jewel Williams, "the Lord has called me to preach." Pastor Williams said, "I knew it before you came in here. I'm gonna let you preach a trail sermon." My first sermon title was, "A Letter of Authority from the Wrong Authority". After a period of time as an associate minister at Tabernacle, I was asked by Rev. Leroy Mixon to join him at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where I would serve as the Assistant Pastor. As I continued to do what the Lord wanted me to do, I was approached by the Wanderer's Home M.B. Church to become pastor. I served there for 10 years before getting help to organize and pastor the Newport M.B. Church, where I served until the Lord called me home. During my lifetime, I enjoyed cooking breakfast, especially pancakes on Saturday mornings. In my spare time, which wasn't often, you would find me fishing, working on the car or working around the house trimming my bushes to look like chairs. I left this world on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 and joined my parents, three brothers: Charley, Samuel and Nathanial, and my daughter, Pamela. I'm leaving a beautiful and loving family: my darling, Fannie; my two living brothers: George (Senora), Pastor Otha (Idell -deceased); my children: Bobbie (Willie- deceased), Samuel (Therasia), Annie (James), Walter Jr. (Donna), Patrick and Anthony (Wendy); thirteen grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren, other relatives and friends............. "Perfect submission, all is at rest. I'm in my Savior. Am happy and blessed. Watching and waiting. Looking Above. Filled with His goodness. Lost in His love." - Blessed Assurance......."I love you all and I'll see you again in Paradise."

Pastor Walter Lee Smith Sr.

January 26, 1922 - July 5, 2017