Westwood Baptist Church, Forestdale
Birmingham Baptist Association
Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: “Love Lifted Me”
Hobbies: Reading and playing with grandchildren
Family Status: Married to Margaret for 61 years; two children, Jan and Lisa; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren
Eighty-five-year-old Watson Smith has been employed by Westwood Baptist Church, Forestdale, for 26 years. As maintenance supervisor, Smith ensures that everything at the church runs smoothly by overseeing all aspects of the building, including lighting, water and furnaces. “It’s just my life,” he added with a laugh.
Q: How did you come to know the Lord?
A: We (my familiy) went to church from babies on up. When the church had a revival in the summertime — it was always in July or August — we would go to those revivals. We had a young pastor that came down and led a revival. He preached morning and night for a whole week.
Q: What do you consider rewarding about your work at the church?
A: We had day care and Mothers Day Out for 30-something years here … I have been “Poppa” to several hundred children. Several have since gone into the ministry (as adults).
Q: Why do you continue this work?
A: I feel like the Lord brought me here. I feel like He had a need for me here. And this [work] satisfies a need for me, too.
Q: What difference has Christ made in your life?
A: Knowing that I do have a Savior who loves me and that I love Him and that I have a place to go when I leave this place … I feel like my whole family has been saved, and that just means a lot to me.
If you know someone who should be featured as “Someone You Should Know,” send his or her name, a contact number and the reason you think he or she should be featured to Someone You Should Know, c/o The Alabama Baptist, 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.
Share with others: