Pastor Archer Jefferson Smith

“Lord, thou has been our dwelling place in all generations, before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou has formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” Psalm 90:1-2We, the Smith family, do humbly thank you for Elder Archer Jefferson Smith, Jr., born on June 10, 1915, to Archer Jefferson Smith Sr., and Mary Smith in Baltimore, Maryland, where you allowed him to attend the Baltimore City Public School Systems. We submit to your divine wisdom to take your son, Archer, out of this world on December 24, 2004 at the Future Care Sand town/Winchester Nursing Home, after a lengthy illness. Wherein we do praise you for the strength that you gave his wife, Minister Mabel Smith, to endure this care giver’s ministry.Inasmuch as you saw the racial, social and political injustices that were carried out in the early part of the century, you nevertheless, provided for Archer to provide for this family by working as a private Chauffeur fo Mrs. Hutzlers (of Hutzlers Department Stores)God, we thank you that it’s better to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. At the age of 22, Elder Smith accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior under the ministry of the Late Bishop Hamilton and Mother Minnie Jones of Faith Hope Church. God, thank you that you called this man of God into the ministry in 1942. He walked and worked the statues and the Word of God. He believed “that there is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)God, you said you would lead and direct our paths, and we thank you how you led Elder Smith int the Alpha and Omega Pentecostal church of America, Inc., in 1944 which was founded by the late Right Reverend Magdalene Phillips. There he served with all of his heart and was one of the eight-member committee that governed the church. There, he served as its first assistant pastor. There, he served as Pastor of Mission #3 in Cherry Hill.Elder Smith loved you, Lord, with all his heart. He was known for his high stepping dances and praises before God. He bought excitement with him into your House. He had a special gift to stir up the congregation into high praise. Your presence, Lord, would fall greatly and everyone would be truly blessed.Lord, you said in Genesis 2:18 “...that it’s not good for man to be alone.” In 1933, Archer took Marie to be his wedded wife and to his union eight children were born. After 52 years of marriage, you called Marie home to Glory. Daughter, Magdalene Downs, also preceded him in death. Later, Archer met and married Mabel Smith in October 25, 1986. She was not only his helpmate in the ministry, but also a constant companion and care giver until you called him home on December 24, 2004. Lord, Minister Smith saw that, over the decades. Archer had been precious to so many. Most of all she called him “homey” because he had been precious to her. She prayed that God would ever keep him in his arms.Lord, because of who you are, we give you glory! We thank you for those that Elder Archer J. Smith, Jr., leaves behind: one son, Everett Smith; six daughters, Doris Jones; Florence Brown (James Brown), Phyllis Harper (Andrew harper); Ruth Blackwell (Bobby Blackwell-deceased); Lydia Moore (Herman Moore; Marie Hairston (James Hairston) and Walter Downs who is husband of his deceased daughter, Magdalene Downs. Lord, Elder Smith also leaves behind two stepchildren: Evangelist Rosalee Ricks and Wilson Wallace (Roberta Wallace). He leaves to cherish the memory of his love, one sister-in-law, Elsie Henderson; 28 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; seven (7) great, great grandchildren; two (2) step grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.Than you, Heavenly Father, for his 89 years of family and Christian influence. You do all things well. AMENThe FAMILY

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Pastor Archer Jefferson Smith

June 10, 1915 - December 24, 2004