E. P. Smith


1875-1945

Smith_EP

E. P. SMlTH
Gospel Advocate, Dec 27, 1945, p. 739

E. P. Smith was born in Dyer County, Tenn., April 29, 1875. In 1900 he was married to Annie Thomas, who gave him her love and companionship and who cared for him so tenderly and with undying devotion during his long illness. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had three children, who died in infancy, and later took me as their adopted daughter, loving and doing for me as their very own. When E. P. Smith was baptized at about thirty years of age, so happy was he in finding the true church that he started preaching immediately, telling others how to become Christians.

It must have been a wonderful inspiration to the members of Lowrance Chapel, near Rutherford, where he was teaching at the time, to see a young man so full of zeal and enthusiasm for the church. No doubt they inspired him equally as much, because from that time on he was continually studying and preaching the Bible.

After having taught school in Rutherford, Greenfield, Sharon, and Kenton, he moved to Martin about 1912, where he was superintendent of schools for about twenty years. Meanwhile he continued to preach all over Tennessee, and from time to time went into other states to hold meetings.

Few men, I believe, have been as completely unselfish as he was. No doubt that is the fundamental reason for his being held in such high esteem by all those who knew him. He wanted to share with others, to help them carry their sorrows, their discouragements, their joys, their trials, and their triumphs. He was never too busy to listen to those who came to him for advice, and there were many who came. As teacher and superintendent he came in touch daily with boys and girls, all of whom he loved, from the smallest tots to the oldest. That his students and fellow teachers alike loved and respected him as evidenced by their many fine letters and kind deeds during his last years.

Many former students wrote that any good they may have accomplished in life they felt they owed to him for the encouragement, confidence, and teaching he gave them in their formative years. It would be impossible for me to sum up the good works of my dad. But the statement, "He loved the Lord and his fellow man," would cover many of them. He wanted to save souls, to lend encouragement and trust, and to share with others his worldly goods when they were In need. The foregoing comments on the life and Influence of E. P. Smith are such that any of his friends might make. From a personal· point of view. I would like to say that he could not have been a better dad. He had for me the same love, human understanding, ambition, and comradeship all fathers have for their children. I loved him very dearly, and he will always remain a very strong influence in my life.

-Katy Bell Hyde (formerly Katy Bell Smith).

Eastside Cemetery, Martin, Weakley Co., TN
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 36.34670, Longitude: -88.83560

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