Deacon Anderson Smith

Obituary Deacon Anderson J. Smith transitioned to his home in glory Thursday August 26, 2021. He was born on August 17, 1923, to George W. Smith Sr and Ada Frazier Smith in Vian, Oklahoma. Anderson was the third of four siblings. His parents, Sisters, Elizabeth B. Gordon, Leona M. Brown, brother George W. Smith Jr., wife Louella Smith, grandson Robert E. Gill Jr. and loving daughter Bonnie B. Saunders preceded him in transitioning from this life. His early years of education were in Vian, but after moving to Kansas City, Kansas he graduated from Sumner High School class of 1943. While at Sumner he met an attractive petite girl by the name of Helen Inez Young and from this union two children, daughter Bonnie and son Stanley were born. Deacon Smith served two years in the US Army during the Second World War and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He later married Louella Singleton in 1953 and to this union a son Cornelius was born. He and Louella were married for 59 years. He attended the Eighth Street Baptist Church Kansas City, Kansas when he first arrived in Kansas City, and after returning from active duty in 1946, he and his family sought membership. He has been a life member of the Eighth Street Baptist Church for Seventy Five (75) years. He would always talk about and brag on his beloved church and Pastor I. H. Henderson Sr. Deacon Smith respected all Pastors and Preachers. He would always say, “There’s no higher calling, not even the president.” Deacon Smith served in many capacities in church starting in the Sunday School and the Young Adult choir. He was ordained a Deacon in 1959 and appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1961. As a leader he was chairman of the Welcome Committee (adopted “You’re Only A Stranger Once”). He was overseer of finances of Operation Nehemiah, and chairman of the Capital Improvement Fund. He was a member of the Amenities Committee, Long Range Planning and the By-Laws Committees over the years. For over Fifty years he took on leadership role as Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. Deacon Smith was known as an encourager. He would say, “It doesn’t take anything away from you to encourage someone.”, and he never met a stranger. If he met you for the first time he would affectionately call you “son” or “daughter.” In worship service, if it got to quiet for him, you could hear him all over the church saying, “Somebody Ought To Say Something.” or “I’ll Say Amen.” He was introduced to the Laymen Movement by Walter Cade Jr. National Baptist Laymen President in 1963. He then became a loyal, faithful and passionate member of the Laymen Movement, serving at his home church, Kaw Valley District Congress and Conventions, Kansas State Congress and Conventions and National Baptist Congress and Conventions; Four State Workshops and many other events. He was the Devotional Leader on all levels of the Laymen Movement. He was known for leading in those old Dr. Watts Hymns (“Father I Stretch My Hand To Thee”; “I Love The Lord, He Heard My Cry”) that you do not hear much of today. In the Kaw Valley District Laymen, he became Vice President in 1971, and then President in 1977-1984. He would attend all the 6:00 am early morning services in Kansas City, Kansas and Topeka rain, or snow. He also attended on many occasions the Missouri Laymen early morning services. In 1976, he and thirteen Laymen spent three weeks in Africa doing missionary work. Helping to build and repair churches in Monrovia, Liberia, Nairobi, Kenya. Malawi and Johannesburg, South Africa. Deacon Smith received many honors over the years from his District, State and National Baptist associations. He was most joyful of all but especially joyful in 1993 when he was crowned “National Baptist Laymen King” in New York City and when honored by the Eighth Street Baptist Church in 1999 as “Outstanding Man of Eighth Street Baptist Church.” He participated faithfully with the Laymen until his wife’s health failed and he became her sole caregiver in 2006 until her passing in 2012. Deacon Smith retired from Bennett Construction Co. as laborer-foreman in 1988. He was the oldest retiree of the AFL-CIO, Local 264 with a membership of 75yrs. Before trash pickup was taken over by Kansas City, Mo.; Deacon Smith had “Smitty and Son’s (Stanley)” trash pickup. Working some days after work and all day Saturday. He also did concrete driveways and sidewalks during the summer. He was hard and strong on the outside, but soft, sensitive and compassionate on the inside. If you needed help, he would oblige (his word) you. He helped and supported many people over the years and did not ask for anything in return. He loved and honored his family and as the Patriarch of his family he served as President of his Family Reunions from 1988 until 2000. He would lead and coordinate the family reunions by year and by cities. The family honored him with accolades and presentations when he stepped down as president. Deacon Smith leaves to cherish memories, his two sons, Rev. Dr. Stanley A. Smith (Corliss), Kansas City, Mo; Cornelius G. Smith, Laura, Md; four grandsons, Adrion C. Smith (Denise) Toronto, Canada; Leslie R. Saunders II (Breanna) Raymore, Mo; Parris J. Smith, Springfield, Mo; Dominique A. Smith, Laura, Md; two granddaughters, Charnita Y. Gill, Raymore, Mo; Roberta M. Anderson-Mabry (Ernest), Kansas City, Mo; lifetime friend Helen Gee: and a host of great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and countless loving friends. Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 10, 2021, 11:00am at Eighth Street Baptist Church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Anderson Smith, please visit our floral store. Read More

Deacon Anderson Smith

August 17, 1923 - August 26, 2021