Constance B Smith

CONSTANCE BELL SMITH was born May 11, 1934, in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the daughter of the late Alice I. White and the late Raymond Waters. She departed this life after a lengthy illness on December 29, 2024. “Connie,” as she loved to be called, was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Douglass (Evening) High School. Later, she studied at ZOE Bible School 1988-1989. She married at an early age and had two children, Iris and Bobby. In June 1960, she remarried to Clarence, her soul mate until death, and had two more children, Toya and Tonia. She was a mom who loved her children and spent all of her time encouraging them to do the right thing and taught them about the Lord at an early age. Connie was employed in the banking field for many years. She worked at several banks starting at Equitable Trust Bank, Union Trust as Proof Machine Operator, later at Mercantile Trust Bank where she worked in the Film Research Department and Records Department and retired in 1991. Connie also worked a short time at Sinai Hospital in the Medical Records Department. Not yet ready for complete retirement, she was employed part time in May 1997 for The Pennsylvania Life Insurance Company in Columbia, Maryland as a Front Desk Receptionist. She loved this job most due to meeting and talking to people. She held this position for fourteen years, retiring again in December of 2010. Mom/Nana loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, when family gathered at her home for her scrumptious meals. She cooked and baked well. Everyone loved her delicious cakes. Her family was very special to her. As a child she attended The Old Orchard Street Methodist Church, under the late Rev. J. J. Barnes. In 1954 as a young adult, she joined Providence Baptist Church. She left Providence first in 1968 and joined First United Apostolic Holiness Church under Pastor Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. This is where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior on April 21, 1968 and then received the baptism of the Holy Spirit shortly after. At First United Apostolic Holiness Church, she served as a Missionary. In 1989, she became a part of The Gospel Messengers Ministry (A Community Ministry) under founder Rev. Geraldine S. James and became a Licensed Evangelist in Sept. 1991. She served five years as a Trustee, preaching in various churches throughout the city and in Street Ministry, Radio Ministry, and Prison Ministry opportunities to share His Word. This is what she loved doing, leading people to Jesus Christ. In 1992, she was the organizer of the HIV/AIDS Ministry at Providence Baptist Church and served as its Chairperson for eleven years. Later she joined Kingdom Life Church, a nondenominational church under Pastor Michael Phillips. She served there for nine years in various ministries (Children’s Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, and Mothers in Zion Ministry). In November 2014, the Lord led her to return her membership to Providence Baptist Church. There she served in the Evangelism Ministry and Vacation Bible School. She was always striving to learn more about GOD and was excited to share what she had learned along the way. Although serving in many ministries in her lifetime, she felt her calling was to Evangelize. In January of 2019, she suffered a Heart Attack, along with other complications. She did not think she would live to see her 85th birthday, so she planned her funeral, but GOD had other plans for her and gave her a “Celebration of Life” party instead, which she could not stop talking about. She loved the Lord and loved giving him praise. She could not stop giving Him Glory for her life. Connie loved encouraging young people to be an example, stay in school and go as far as they could, stay out of trouble and remember to always include God in their lives. She spent her later years as a caretaker for her husband and other family members until her illness. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3: 5-6 (5) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Her daughter Iris Renee Coates and son Bobby Maurice Smith preceded her in death. She leaves to honor her memory: her loving husband, Clarence Smith; daughters, Toya Smith and Tonia Matthews (Clarence); one sister, Elizabeth Slade; two brothers, Vernon White and Edward White (Rose); thirteen grandchildren, Terea, Alexander Jr. (Wanda), Anthony (Khrista), Tyra (Darien), Tasha (James), Kiara, Kelly, Brea, Nikkia (Mervin), Kivani, Kassandra, Jevon and Kylan (Gwen); twenty-four great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves a beloved daughter-in-law, Cassandra; special friends, Rev. Geraldine James, Fredonia Gainer and Mildred Fleet; and a host of other relatives and friends..

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Constance B Smith

May 11, 1934 - December 29, 2024