Location: H-Garrett

Born: March 14, 1918 Avinger, Cass County, Texas

Died: November 14, 2006 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Son of Fred Paul Smith and Mamie K. Smith

Parents:
Frank Fortland Smith (1890 – 1973)

Spouses:
Syble Ruth Dodson Smith (1918 – 1971)
Annie Pauline Robinson Smith (1927 – ____)

Paul was the son of Mamie K. and Fred Paul Smith. After the death of his father, he moved to Athens, Texas, 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 Riesel, and North Waco Baptist Church. He was also pastor of Park Temple Baptist Church in Fort Worth and was Administrator of Alta Frio Baptist Encampment in Leakey, Texas. 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 Nov. 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 Sept. 30, 2006. From Jan. 1983 until Sept. 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 Feb. 1971.

In Jan. 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; several nieces and nephews; and one “daughter” who adopted him as her daddy, Naomi Hulme, of Plano.

Arrangements by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, Waco, Texas.