Cecil Smith

Rev. E. Cecil Smith, age 79, of Prince George, VA, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, December 12, 2009. He was born in Eure, NC, the son of the late Ernest R. and Emily Greene Smith. Rev. Smith served approximately 40 years in the area as a minister. He served as senior pastor at Hopewell Congregational Christian, Prince George Congregational, and Holy Neck Christian. Most recently he served concurrently at Dendron Christian Church, Union Christian Church and Lebanon Christian Church, all of the United Church of Christ. He also served locally at Hopewell Congregational Christian Church as the church organist. Rev. Smith was a recipient of the Pastor Emeritus Award in June of 2003. He was involved in the various communities that he lived in serving on the Hopewell Ministerial Association, past Prince George Emergency Crew Chaplain, and past member of the Ruritan Civic organization. Rev. Smith was an active member of Prince George Masonic Lodge #115. Although his heart and passion in life was in ministry, he believed as a citizen he could make a difference in the communities that he lived in, and looked for opportunities to get involved. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Rev. Smith is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lois E. Smith; sons, Cecil M. Smith and wife, Martha, I. Wayne Smith and wife, Robin, and Dr. Ernie J. Smith and wife, Barbara; a sister, Aretta Lassiter and husband, Charlie; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Hopewell chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Thursday at 11 a.m. beginning with Masonic Rites in the funeral home chapel. Interment will take place in Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens, Prince George, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requestâ??s memorial contributions are made to the First Congregational Christian Church sign fund at P. O. Box 477, Hopewell, VA 23860, in memory of Rev. E. Cecil Smith. Condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com