Mother Ethel Louise Smith

 Ethel Louise (Harris) Smith was born to Marion Harris, Sr. and Ethel Edith Harris in Vicksburg, Mississippi on April 7, 1924. She was the second child of four siblings.

As a teenager Ethel was saved under her father’s pastorage at Harris Temple Church of God In Christ in Vicksburg, MS. She graduated from Magnolia Avenue High School in Vicksburg and in 1946 received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ethel’s prayer to the Lord for a “saved” husband was answered in 1943 when she met Columbus Smith while he was on a pass from basic training in the US Army. Right before he was to be deployed, Columbus was able to visit the Harris family during the Christmas holidays and that evening before he left, he gave her an engagement ring. Thus, Ethel and Columbus began their long-distance engagement/courtship while he was deployed overseas.

After Columbus had been honorably discharged from the Army, they moved to Indiana where they were married on April 5, 1947. The young couple joined Dinan Memorial Church of God in Christ (later renamed Saints Memorial Church of God in Christ) in South Bend.

Ethel spent her early years of marriage at home taking care of their five children. After they had all entered school, she began working as an Adult Business teacher and then became an elementary school teacher, teaching 5thgrade at Benjamin Harrison School until retirement.

Mother Smith was always an active member in the church. She was church financial secretary for over fifty-five years, Director of Vacation Bible School, a Sunday School teacher for over fifty years, and a licensed missionary for over forty-five years. She served on the Board for the Mason Bible Institute and taught a class and also served on the Mother’s Board.

After 66 years of marriage to Superintendent Columbus T. Smith, the Lord welcomed him to his heavenly home at the age of ninety-three. Mother Smith continued her faithfulness at Saints Memorial COGIC until her children decided that she needed to have less responsibilities in the upkeep of her house.  Moving to her new home in McCordsville, Indiana provided her with the functionality that she needed.  Mother Smith began attending and placed her membership at Sanders Temple Church of God in Christ under Pastor (Bishop) J. Rashad Jones where her oldest daughter worships.  She was faithful to the Mother’s Board and Missionary Circle and was the oldest member of Sanders Temple. At the age of 96, Missionary Ethel L. Smith was honored in the General Assembly by the International Church of God In Christ, INC under Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. with the NONAGENARIANS CITATION for her faithfulness as “an exemplary Kingdom servant.” 

She was able to spend her last years with the Butlers and the Sanders Temple COGIC church family under Pastor J. Rashad Jones, and then with the Harveys and the LoveFeast COGIC church family under Pastor Clarence Harris, Sr., then with the Goins and the Ultimate Faith Christian Center family under Apostle David Jordan and with the Smiths and the St. Paul COGIC family, now pastored by her son, Eld. Columbus Smith, Jr.  She faithfully attended and completed her course… (II Tim. 4:7-8) Mother Smith could be found in prayer and Bible study every morning and has proven to be an exemplary role-model of living saved, sanctified and holy. She will be remembered for her ready smile and love for the Lord and his people.

And now, after being blessed to live 100 years, Mother Smith is with the Lord being welcomed to the place that He has prepared for her!

Missionary Ethel Louise Harris Smith leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: four daughters: Siesta Butler, Indianapolis, IN; Regetta Goins, Bolingbrook, IL; Iris Thomas, Charlotte, NC; Ethel Harvey (Michael), Merrillville, IN; and one son, Pastor Columbus Smith, Jr. (Darleen), Lakeville, MN; one brother, Archie Lee Harris (Marilyn), Vicksburg, MS; one sister-in-law, Maxine Bankhead, Sulligent, AL; 21 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, saints and friends.

Preceded in death by: parents, Pastor Marion Harris, Sr. & Ethel Edith Harris; loving husband, Elder Columbus Tower Smith, Sr., dear sister, Emily (Edward) Jenkins; brothers: Marion Harris, Jr., Elliott Jerome Harris; grandson, David Anthony Harvey; sons-in-love: Raphael Thomas, James Goins, Jr.  and Richard Jerry Butler.

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