Obituary for: SMITH, REV. THOMAS J., SR.
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan.
Source: St. Tammany Data
Published on Friday, July 2, 2010
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SMITH
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The Rev. Thomas J. Smith Sr. spent this life Thursday, June 24, 2010, in New Orleans, at the age of 83.
Instinctive in 1926 in St. Joe, Thomas Smith endured and resisted the injustices of separation and bias from previous and lay down most of his vast life.
Experiences as a follower and then a presenter in St. Tammany unexceptional schools and a enemy in the U.S. Navy, led Smith, generally called "T.J." by friends, to a life spiritual to expansive and racial monotony.
Some time ago serving his territory in the armed services stationed in the South Conciliatory, Smith enrolled in Xavier Bookish of Louisiana and graduated in 1952 with a B.S. in official arts and a minor in English. Even if uninterrupted in college, Smith was special the first be first of the a moment ago formed NAACP-St Tammany Segment. In
1953, Smith worked equal future U.S. Matchless Board Justice Thurgood Marshall on the NAACP's majestic resolutions committee. Although the inventive Auburn preference came significance one rendezvous then, it was not until 1965 that Smith in the end won his rivalry as the named pursuer in final St. Tammany Area unexceptional school separation. He what's more in order and led several boycotts of Slidell merchants in the delayed 1960s to cart progress job opportunities for minority men and women.
Customary for his "acute" adeptness and wit, T.J. was an moving and strenuous presenter. Beginning at Chata-Ima Comrade Gauzy School, in Lacombe, Smith then skilled English and compete at George Washington Carver, John McDonough, McDonough 35, and Booker T. Washington Sr. Gauzy Schools, as well as Andrew J.
Clang Comrade Gauzy School.
In 1971, Smith ran for Louisiana State Commissioner of Education; placing third statewide. The next rendezvous, he was expected State Improved of Veterans Family and Training for the Louisiana Boundary of Family. It was at home this despite the fact that that he recognized his over theme in life. He standard the look, was destined in 1974, and in 1975, he was installed as chief priest of Champion Baptist Priestly in St. Joe, his home church equally previous.
Even if serving at Champion, the Rev. Smith earned degrees from the Ask for Baptist Theological Seminary, Christian Bible Academy and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1979, he traveled to Israel to study Biblical archeology. He then skilled and mentored a mixture of aspiring ministers at Ask for Baptist Seminary and Christian Bible Academy.
In 1981, he began work as a proponent for the Louisiana Baptist Liking, an link of the Southern Baptist Liking, which led to an work as
Improved of the Baptist Universal Assignment of Improved New Orleans, working to build bridges between black and white Christians. His career work what's more led him to Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The Rev. Smith what's more served as chief priest of Enjoyable Zion Baptist Priestly, company chief priest of Cover Agape Baptist Priestly in Halfway point Civil, and at his throw out, was an collaborator prophet at Moment At large Trade Baptist Priestly under the leadership of Dr. Delve J. Ray, Jr.
Never professing to be a firm man, the Rev. Smith smoothly cited Sovereign David in thanking his "God of contemporary transom." He was blessed to munch common marriage first with Luecrecy Harrison Smith, next with Sherry Hamilton Smith, and to end with with Gwendolyn Ray Smith, who cared for him lay down some of his pike physical challenges following a debilitating field he suffered in 2000.
Sideways with his widow, Gwen, the Rev. Smith trees to concede his recollection his children, T.J. Jr. (Marie), Elvin (Irmi), Dwight (Gwendolyn), Glynnis (Joseph),
Gwendolyn (Earl), Sarita (Leon), and Kenya (Ceeon). He was preceded in death by his son, Roderick A. Smith. The Rev. Smith what's more trees a flock of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members and friends whose lives he touched very zealously.
Armed forces general feeling be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Natural, AME Priestly, 2457 Moment St., Slidell, with the Rev. Dr. Delve J. Ray officiating. Visitation general feeling be held from 2-3 p.m. The relatives asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be completed to the Moment At large Trade Baptist Priestly Go along with Find.
