Deacon Leonard M. Smith Sr.

Deacon Smith was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday, January 26, 1940, son of the late Pastor, Mother Willabelle Smith (The Taffy Lady) and the late Reverend Alexis M. Smith. He graduated from William Penn High School, Harrisburg, and attended Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). He was united in holy matrimony to Mother Williemae Smith for fifty-six years. He was a Deacon of the Mount Calvary Church of God In Christ. He faithfully served as a Sunday School Teacher at his mother’s church, New Jerusalem Freewill Spiritual Methodist Church, North 6th Street. And, in his early years, he was a member of Banks Temple Church of the Living God where he received Christ and met his future wife, WillieMae. He retired as a Systems Technician Supervisor from the Bell Telephone Company where he worked for twenty years. After retiring, he became an entrepreneur launching out on a new business venture and became the first African American who started and operated a Charter Bus Service in the City of Harrisburg. He loved providing excellent service to the churches, schools and many organizations throughout Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Philadelphia and Baltimore. As the Vice President and Senior Advisor, he encouraged his sons to start, “Aaron & Leonard’s Fuel Oil Delivery,” which became one of the fastest growing fuel oil businesses in the Harrisburg Area. He worked faithfully with his sons delivering fuel oil to the area’s underserved. His faithful, kindhearted spirit will never be forgotten. Deacon Smith was a “Man of Faith” who would always tell his family, church family, neighbors and friends to “Trust in the Lord.” On Friday, August 19, 2016, at the Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg, in his seventy-sixth year, Deacon Leonard Smith transitioned from this life to his heavenly home. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Aliese R. (Smith) Dawson, and a son, Leonard M. Smith Jr. Deacon Smith is survived by his devoted wife, Mother Williemae Smith; his children, Pamela Smith, Aaron Smith, Sonya Smith (George) Miller, Jonathan Smith and Michael Nicholson; a brother, Deacon Raymond (Gwendolyn) Smith; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Giving God All Glory, Honor and Praise, Lovingly Submitted by the Family of Deacon Leonard M. Smith Sr. Deacon Smith’s Home-Going Service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 26th, at his church, Mt. Calvary C.O.G.I.C., 1830 N. 5th Street, Harrisburg, with Elder D. R. Gilmore officiating. Viewing/visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Flowers may be delivered to the church, 8/26, 9-9:30 a.m.

Tributes

Deacon Leonard M. Smith Sr.

January 26, 1940 - August 19, 2016