Bishop Lionel Augustus Smith

Bishop Lionel Augustus Smith was born on March 31, 1932 in St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies to the late Josiah Smith and Alice Walker. He attended Cedar Valley School in the parish of St. Catherine. In 1955, he moved to Kingston where he worked as a chef for Belevue Hospital. During this time, he attended The Church o God Holiness Church at 143 East Street. Dad spoke of his love for street meetings. He found that The New Testament Church held regular street meetings. Furthermore, these meetings were led by a fired up evangelist named Ivy May Darling. He was such a regular fixture at these meetings that he was asked to sing. His favorite song was, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad”. It just so happened that Ivy taught him this song. A relationship developed between Lionel and Ivy. He then joined the New Testament Church, pastored by the late Elder A. Pearl. Shortly afterwards, Lionel married Ivy on August 29, 1959. This union produced four children. In 1961, several members of the New Testament Church left to form the Star Church of God. Dad was named as the first Deacon in this new organization; he was ordained as an elder on July 22, 1968. Later that year, he immigrated to the United States. Ivy and the children joined him the following year in Baltimore, Maryland. Lionel also began his employment at Sinai hospital that year. He later became Head Chef of the Dietary Department. In 1972, the family joined St. John, Alpha and omega Pentecostal Church of America, Inc. pastored by the late Rev. Magdelene Phillips. It was during this time that Lionel and Ivy became known for their New Year’s Day fasting services. In 1979, they started a branch of the Star Church of God in Baltimore. Lionel was later named State Overseer of the Star Churches. After losing his beloved, Ivy, in 1993 Lionel’s health began to fail. He retired from Sinai in 1994. He recovered from many seemingly fatal illnesses. Always wishing to, “Go Home”. He peacefully slept away on Monday, November 5, 2001. He leaves to cherish his memory Min. Lionel Lloyd Smith of Felton, Pa.; Grace Patricia White of Burtonville Md. Pastor Trevor George Smith of Baltimore, Md. Samuel Sylvester Smith of Baltimore Md.; one sister, Iris Walker of St. Catherine Jamaica, WI.; one brother, Alvin Smith and family of Bridgeton, England; loving nieces, Beverley Edwards also of Bridgeston, England; Clare McDonald of Baltimore, Md; and several other nieces and nephews; and two daughters-in-law, Min. Mitzie Smith and Yvette Smith, eight grandchildren, Jessica, Blair, Kortnie, Josselyn, Kristen, Roger, Lisa, and Christopher; son-in-law, Roger White. Bishop also leaves a legacy of families, churches and friends.

Tributes

Bishop Lionel Augustus Smith

July 31, 1932 - November 5, 2001