Elder Leroy Smith, Jr.

Leroy Smith, Jr., 90, of Fort Worth, TX passed away in his home, surrounded by loved ones, on Friday, June 12, 2020. He was born, the 2nd of 6 children, on February 3, 1930 to Leroy and Maxine Smith in Fort Smith, AR. “Papa,” as he was affectionately known, was the epitome of fun, consistency, grace, love and pure joy! It was his caring spirit that earned him the nickname Papa, and that same caring spirit that caused everyone he met to adopt him as their Papa.

He loved his remote control, Westerns, TBN music specials, and most importantly, his family. He would always call to make sure everyone was home safe, their doors were locked, and that they had enough sheep to count for the night. That was his clever way of telling them goodnight.

He was proudly the U.S. Army, and received an honorable discharge after serving in the Korean War.

Papa accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior on July 6, 1961. He recounts how the Lord grabbed ahold of him, and he found himself on the altar crying out to God, and he never looked back. The following year, he married the late Johnnie Mae Smith, and moved to Houston, TX., where they joined the Cashmere Garden COGIC, under the leadership of the late, Dr. Allen J. Hines.

In 1975, they moved to Fort Worth, TX where he was employed as a truck driver, until his retirement in 2003. During that time, he was called into ministry under the leadership of the late, Elder L.C. Castleberry, of Golden Gate COGIC. His breakout message that December was “Spiritual Fix for ’76.” One year later, he was called into Pastoral Ministry, founding the Faith Chapel COGIC.

In addition to serving as Founding Pastor of Faith Chapel COGIC, he also served as the District Superintendent under the late, Bishop C.D. Clark. After serving 13 years beside him, Johnnie Mae Smith went home to be with The Lord. In August of 1990, he was blessed to find love again in the beautiful, Doris Smith, and together they continued to serve the members of Faith Chapel COGIC, until his health declined in December of 2019.

Papa is preceded in death by both parents, former wife of 28 years, Johnnie Mae Smith; son Neal Hunter; Granddaughters, Rosaland Hunter and Rachel Weatherd; Great Granddaugter, Paige Clewis; brother, Richard Smith; sisters Junita Simpo and Sydney Ann Wilson.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Doris Smith; sisters, Mary Lynn Fields and Zella Mae Bailey (Billy); daughters, Deborah Ann Smith-Dixon (Dave), Mary Ann Smith, Valorie Hall, and Shannon Lockhart; god-daughters, Ethel Roberts (Wycliffe) and Jane Russell-Scott (Jewell); grandchildren, Matthew Wyman, Nicole Wyman, Eugenia Hunter, RaeShawn Cannon (James), Will Clewis (Danielle), Boyd Clewis (Tiana), Keith Gray, Kevin Gray and Brannigan James; 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.