Pastor Frank H. Smith

F is for fought, finished, and faith. Yes! Frank fought the good fight, he finished the race, and certainly kept the faith. His journey began January 17, 1943, in Darlington County, SC—the eldest son born to Lessie R. Smith and Mary Frances Williamson. He transitioned to his eternal home on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

R is for redeemed! Frank was redeemed by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom he accepted in 1970. Through that acceptance, he exalted God through a rich, velvety voice that reminded you of the old church, when hymns ushered in the move of the spirit. At St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, Frank was a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and later accepted the call to minister, which led to pastoring Mt. Olive FGBC in Salisbury, NC, for 28 years. When that season was finished, he continued the work of ministry under the leadership of Dr. Dennis W. Bishop at First Waughtown Baptist Church here in Winston-Salem.

A is for anchored! This was evident by his consistent strive to the bond of perfection that calls us to operate through love, in decency and in order. He lived his favorite passage from Proverbs, trusting in the Lord, and leaning not to his own understanding. He was a master gardener, and the paths he made tending to the land became the very place where God tended to him. His sermons were as the seeds he sowed into the ground, nurtured through his unquenching thirst for wisdom, and harvested to deliver to those who receive the uncompromised Word of God.

N is for Now! Now that Frank is present with Lord, his legacy lives through the lives of many. The “jelly on his toast”, Belinda S. Smith, his devoted wife of almost 57 years; five children, Frank (Stephanie) Smith, Jr., Timothy (Shannon) Smith, Sherry R. Smith, Warren “Chris” Smith, and Kenya L. Smith. Pastor Smith’s seeds of love and service are carried through fourteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and spiritual kin. He held special affection for his brother Isaiah “Zeke” Smith, of the city, his nephew Terence D. Smith who was like a son, his goddaughter Minister Nodia Frazier; Elder Warren and Diane Guoins, his spiritual children of Spencer, NC, Deac. Donald and Gail Horton of Winterville, NC, and the First Waughtown church family.

K is for Know! For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Pastor Smith’s hope is that the legacy of faith, love, hope and joy carry us now and forevermore.

Pastor Smith’s Homegoing Service will be held at 11AM, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at First Waughtown Baptist Church, 838 Moravia St., Winston-Salem, NC, 27107.

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