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Raphus Smith
Posted 12/16/06
Raphus Smith, 73 HARRINGTON - Raphus Smith of Harrington passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in Milford Manor Center. He was 73. Mr. Smith was born March 18, 1933, son of the late Premier …
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Raphus Smith
Posted
Raphus Smith, 73
HARRINGTON - Raphus Smith of Harrington passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in Milford Manor Center. He was 73.
Mr. Smith was born March 18, 1933, son of the late Premier Sr. and Irene Josephine (Washington) Smith.
In his endeavor to receive the basic educational skills needed with the knowledge God gifted him, he chose to extend his education with a home tutorial program.
Mr. Smith was employed by Atlantic Concrete, Milford, for 35 years.
He ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ even as a young child. Although many of his siblings would have preferred to play the usual childhood games with him, he would get them together and orchestrate the setting for a good old-fashioned church service. He was always the preacher and his brothers and sisters were compelled to listen to his fiery messages and singing as well as participate as the "play church"s" singers or choir.
This early interest and passion for the church and carrying the gospel led him to his spiritual advancement to church elder over time. He also sang beautiful melodious praises to the Lord. He will be remembered for one of his favorite songs, "I"m Going Away," which he graced many congregations with by singing lead and background.
When Mr. Smith moved to Delaware in 1961, he was an associate member of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Elder Nathaniel Fulton. He later moved his membership to an affiliate church, the Solid Rock Fire Baptized Holiness Church, where he served under Elder Augustus Mann.
His final membership, which began in 1995, was with the New Birth Christian Center, Greenwood, under Pastor Willie Pierce Jr., where he served faithfully until his death. He was the assistant pastor of the fellowship and served on numerous boards including the executive board. Pastor Pierce esteemed Elder Smith as a gentle, praiseworthy mentor and spiritual advisor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife whom he married in 1954, Johnnie Mays; two brothers, Premier Smith Jr. and L.G. Smith; and two sisters, Lillie Mae Smith and Mae Frances Piper.
He is survived by six loving sons, Raphus Jr., Bobby, Willie Sam and Jerome, all of Georgia, Jerry of Florida and Ray Charles of Alabama; two precious daughters, Virginia and Elizabeth, both of Georgia; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Isaac, Samuel and John and Martha, all of Dover; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Martha and Curtis Sample and Eve Reen Wright, all of Florida and Elve Lene and Arthur Piper of Ellendale; 53 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Services will be noon today in Lincoln Pentecostal Church, Greentop Road, Lincoln, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will in Milford Community Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
HARRINGTON - Raphus Smith of Harrington passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in Milford Manor Center. He was 73.
Mr. Smith was born March 18, 1933, son of the late Premier Sr. and Irene Josephine (Washington) Smith.
In his endeavor to receive the basic educational skills needed with the knowledge God gifted him, he chose to extend his education with a home tutorial program.
Mr. Smith was employed by Atlantic Concrete, Milford, for 35 years.
He ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ even as a young child. Although many of his siblings would have preferred to play the usual childhood games with him, he would get them together and orchestrate the setting for a good old-fashioned church service. He was always the preacher and his brothers and sisters were compelled to listen to his fiery messages and singing as well as participate as the "play church"s" singers or choir.
This early interest and passion for the church and carrying the gospel led him to his spiritual advancement to church elder over time. He also sang beautiful melodious praises to the Lord. He will be remembered for one of his favorite songs, "I"m Going Away," which he graced many congregations with by singing lead and background.
When Mr. Smith moved to Delaware in 1961, he was an associate member of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Elder Nathaniel Fulton. He later moved his membership to an affiliate church, the Solid Rock Fire Baptized Holiness Church, where he served under Elder Augustus Mann.
His final membership, which began in 1995, was with the New Birth Christian Center, Greenwood, under Pastor Willie Pierce Jr., where he served faithfully until his death. He was the assistant pastor of the fellowship and served on numerous boards including the executive board. Pastor Pierce esteemed Elder Smith as a gentle, praiseworthy mentor and spiritual advisor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife whom he married in 1954, Johnnie Mays; two brothers, Premier Smith Jr. and L.G. Smith; and two sisters, Lillie Mae Smith and Mae Frances Piper.
He is survived by six loving sons, Raphus Jr., Bobby, Willie Sam and Jerome, all of Georgia, Jerry of Florida and Ray Charles of Alabama; two precious daughters, Virginia and Elizabeth, both of Georgia; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Isaac, Samuel and John and Martha, all of Dover; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Martha and Curtis Sample and Eve Reen Wright, all of Florida and Elve Lene and Arthur Piper of Ellendale; 53 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Services will be noon today in Lincoln Pentecostal Church, Greentop Road, Lincoln, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will in Milford Community Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
