Shelby Andrew Smith Sr., a longtime Alabama Baptist pastor and missionary, died Sept. 25. He was 92.
A native of Jemison, Smith earned his bachelor’s degree at Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and master of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Samford later awarded him with an honorary doctor of divinity.
Smith’s pastoral ministry began with his ordination at Concord Baptist Church and spanned more than 71 years, including Dixons Mills Baptist; Sunny South Baptist, Dixons Mills; and Billingsley Baptist churches.
In 1958 he and his wife, Betty, moved to Ecuador and served on the missions field there with their five young children until Betty’s death in 1964. In 1968 he married Frances Ann Higdon and the family moved to serve in the Caribbean.
He is survived by his wife, Frances; sons, Shelby Jr., Sherwin and Shean; daughters, Sheryl and Sherlie; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. (Grace Thornton)
Share with others: