Taylor Smith

SMITH, REV. TAYLOR—age 86, a devout minister, beloved husband, father and grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Rev. Smith served as Associate Pastor of Grace Covenant Baptist Church, Knoxville, since November 1999. He was a graduate of Carson-Newman College (1959) and Knoxville High School (1949). Rev. Smith was licensed (1951) and ordained (1955) to the Gospel Ministry by the Lonsdale Baptist Church, Knoxville. He served as Pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Clinton (1955-1962); Meadow View Baptist Church (1962-1972 and 1989-1999), and West Haven Baptist Church (1973-1983), both of Knoxville. He also served as Associate Pastor of South Clinton Baptist Church, Clinton (1983-1986) and John Sevier Baptist Church, Knoxville (1986-1989). He was elected Pastor Emeritus of Meadow View Baptist Church in October 1999. Rev. Smith faithfully served as Moderator (1980) and Vice-Moderator (1979) of the Knox County Baptist Association and on various committees and positions during his pastorate. He served on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee of the Tennessee Baptist Convention from 1983-1985. Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Stella Paul Smith; step-mother, Inas Smith; sisters, Emily Juanita and Glenna Margarette Smith; and half-brother, Zalen Luther Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Georgia Edna Smith; son, Rev. Dr. Alan Smith and wife, Debbie; grandchildren, Kristie Dawson and husband, David; Melissa Speight and husband, Brian; and Lindsey Smith; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Blake Dawson. Rev. Smith was proud of the service he gave to his country in the United States Army (1943-1945), having served in the battles and campaigns of Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He earned the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Services Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. We rejoice to know that Rev. Smith now sees the face of the One whose hand he has held since 1933, coming to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord as an 8-year-old boy in the Park Avenue Baptist Church, Nashville. A celebration service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2011 at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel with Rev. Dr. Alan Smith and Rev. Harold Smith officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the main entrance to Highland Memorial Cemetery for an 11:00 a.m. internment service with full military honors presented by Volunteer State Veterans Honors Guard. Pallbearers will be Steve Alford, Fred Carroll, David Dawson, Brian Speight, Bobby Scott and Jack Simpson. Honorary pallbearers will be area ministers and deacons, and elders and deacons of Grace Covenant Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Covenant Baptist Church Building Fund, 9956 Dutchtown Road, Knoxville, TN 37923. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Taylor Smith

June 25, 1924 - January 29, 2011