Rev. Paul G. Smith

Rev. Paul G. Smith March 14, 1918 – November 14, 2006 Rev. Paul G. Smith better known as Bro. Paul, 88, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2006, surrounded by his family at his home. Services will be Saturday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Officiating will be Chaplain Curtis Holland, Dr. Paul Stripling, Rev. Nathan Booth, Rev. Van Vowell, Rev. Jerry Smith, and Dr. David Hardage. Burial will follow at China Spring Cemetery. Visitation with the family if from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at the Funeral Home. Paul Smith was born March 14, 1918, in Avinger, TX to Mamie K. and Fred Paul Smith. After the death of his father, he moved to Athens, TX with his mother at a very young age. He attended schools in Athens. After he surrendered to the ministry, he pastored churches in East Texas and attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall. He moved to the Central Texas area as pastor of Jonesboro Baptist Church and later moved to the Waco area, first pastoring Speegleville Baptist Church, then China Spring First Baptist Church, Elm Mott First Baptist Church, Oak Lawn Baptist Church, Old Time Baptist Church in Reisel, and North Waco Baptist Church. He was also pastor of Park Temple Baptist Church in Ft. Worth and was Administrator of Alta Frio Baptist Encampment in Leakey, TX. After retiring from the pastorate, he served as interim pastor for several churches – one being his own home church, Grace Temple Baptist for one year. While pastoring local area churches, he was on the Executive Board of Latham Springs Baptist Camp for over 40 years. He served as Children’s Camp Director and Youth Camp Director many years and was on various committees through the years and was Secretary of the Board at the time of his death. He was president of the annual “60-Plus” Camp until September of this year. In November 1981, he started the McLennan County Jail Ministry and just recently was recognized for 25 years of service at the annual meeting of Waco Regional Baptist Network. Due to failing health, he retired from the Jail Ministry September 30, 2006. From January 1983 until September 2000, he served as Director of Operation C.R.I.S.I.S. for the Waco Regional Baptist Network. For several years, Bro. Paul was involved in the Baylor University ministry program and was mentor to numerous Baylor students. He married the former Syble Dodson in 1937 and to this marriage was born one son. She preceded him in death in February 1971. In January 1972, he married the former Pauline Polly Robinson. He was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and loved having fish frys for friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Polly; son, Fred and wife Linda of Irving; granddaughter, Lisa Smith Hafer and husband Steve of Coppell; sister-in-law, Margie Nelson of China Spring; and several nieces and nephews; one “daughter” who adopted him as her daddy, Naomi Hulme of Plano. Pallbearers will be nephews Greg Wade; Jerome Merenda, Dale Gilliam, Brad Gilliam, Brent Gilliam, Bill Smith, and grandson-in-law Steve Hafer. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews Bubba Nelson, Wade Smith, Trey Busby, Kevin Ewing, Don Abbrat, friend Dick Briggs, Jack Brown, McLennan County Jail staff, Jail Ministry Volunteers, and Latham Springs Board Members. In lieu of flowers, Bro. Paul preferred contributions be made to Latham Springs Camp, 134 P.R. 223, Aquilla, TX 76622, or the Jail Ministry c/o WRBN, Box 1848, Waco 76703, or Grace Temple Baptist Church, 3825 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX 76710. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey