Minister Isabella Smith

Minister Isabella Smith was born on October 15, 1926 in Florence County, South Carolina, to the late Lillie Thomas Franks Davis Addison and the late Hesikiah Addison.  Her mother died when she was two years old and she was raised by her great grand aunt, the late Sallie Edwards.

Minister Smith was married to the late Deacon Elliott Smith, Sr.  To this union, seven children were born.  She was a loving wife and mother, caring deeply for her family.  Additionally, she loved and cared for children and family members in the community. 

Growing up in Florence County, Minister Smith attended the Florence Public School System.  Her young life included lots of hard work as a Domestic Technician.  Later, she took nursing classes and became a Practical Nurse which allowed her to work as a nurse at Saunders Hospital for most of her life. 

At an early age, she accepted Christ.  She became a member of New Zion Baptist Church No. 2. and was one of its founding mothers.  God called her to preach His word in 1980.  This Call led her to attend the Florence Baptist Temple where she studied several Bible courses.  Afterwards, she received a license to preach on December 19, 1980.  Later in her life, she joined Solid Rock Baptist Church and was one of its founding mothers.  She served as an Associate Minister until her health began to decline.  She was a woman of prayer.  As a very active member with the Order of Eastern Star, she served as Worthy Matron of Pride of West Temple # 301 for many years.

Minister Smith was preceded in death by her parents; Lillie Thomas Franks Davis Addison and Hesikiah Addison; and great grand aunt, Sallie Edwards; her husband, Deacon Elliott Smith, Sr.; two sons, John Smith and Elliott Smith, Jr.; and twelve siblings, Mamie Davis Snowden, Serena Davis Doster, Elouise Davis Wheeler, James Davis Edwards, Charlie Franks, Chalmus Addison, Lillie Bell Addison Shields, Freddie Addison, Dock Addison, Hattie Addison Ford, Queenie Addison and Benjamin Addison.

Those left to cherish her loving memories: two daughters, Queen Esther Bolton (David) of Stone Mountain, Georgia and Annie S. Brown (Arthur) of Lakewood, New Jersey; three sons: Robert L. Smith (Carolyn) of Florence, South Carolina, James M. Smith (Grace) of Camden,  South Carolina, and Ronny D. Smith (June) of Florence, South Carolina; thirteen grandchildren, Felicia Jewel Smith Graham of Florence, South Carolina, Vernita Renee  Smith Johnson (Tyrone) of Florence, South Carolina, Derrick Moore (Julie) of Lumberton, North Carolina, Adrian Wadell Smith (Davia) of Florence, South Carolina, Keyshia Monique Smith Dubose of Columbia, South Carolina, Annetwan Smith Thompkins of Blacklick, Ohio, Sonya Smith Tucker (Anthony) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Latricia Smith Dukes of Leesburg, Virginia, Byron Smith of Portsmouth, Virginia, Haylee Christine Smith Dixon (Wendell) of Augusta, Georgia, Julian Maxwell Smith of Florence, South Carolina, Marie Engram, of Camden, South Carolina and Gloria MaKeba Manning of Laurinburg, North Carolina; twenty eight great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; nieces, Catherine Wheeler Pilot of Florence, South Carolina; Frances Addison Caldwell of Florence, South Carolina, Norma Gary of Florence,  South Carolina, Mildred Shields Adighiuzor of Bronx, New York,  Delores Hughes of Bronx, New York; nephews, Edward Addison (Natasha) of Florence, South Carolina; Ernest Addison (Brenda) of Florence, South Carolina, Larry Shields (Ardena) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, LeRoy Mitchell, Major, United States Army (Retired) (Frances) of Kentucky; a special friend, Deaconess Patsy Lee; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Please keep the family of Minister Isabella Addison Smith in your thoughts and prayers.