In Memoriam—Letter to the Smith Family on the 95th Birthday of Deacon William “Bill” Smith of Greencastle Indiana
The Smith Family Celebrating the 95th Birthday of the Patriarch Deacon William “Bill” Smith with his 5 sons – Steve, Jeffery, Wade, David, Michael and daughter, Judy. This picture was posted by his baby son, Michael on his Facebook page. (Aug. 23, 2024)
Give people their flowers while they are still alive.
~ Cynthia Peter (a paraphrase)
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“Always lead with love.”
~ Kwame Brown Bust Life Podcast
… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
~ Joshua 24:15
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A Poem ~ To ~ Deacon William “Bill” Smith, My Surrogate Father on his 95th Birthday
I don’t care who Comes, I don’t care who Goes, I don’t care who Stays I don’t care who Strays… All I know is the Wise words of Brother Josuway,* Which I will now Preach from the Bible on my 95th Birthday. . . “…But as for Me and My House, We Will Serve the LORD. . . !” Everyday ~ and ~ Everyway!
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*N.B.: Rev. Bell, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Greencastle, Indiana used to always pronounce ‘Joshua’ as ‘Joshuway’ which I always found very endearing.
*N.B.: Read Joshua 24:14-15
14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Prologue—To the Wonderful Smith Family of Greencastle, Indiana (now Terra Haute) who Accepted me as their own Son from Day One (circa August 30, 1980)
Narrative of How I met the Smith Family
I remember meeting my beloved Smith Family like it was yesterday even though these events took place nearly 45 years ago. I was a transfer student where the year before I was a freshman at Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan) now entering my sophomore year at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Even though I was a little nervous about adjusting to my new environment, all I had on my mind that day was to find a new Church home.
Of course this being Orientation Week at DePauw University, I was compelled to attend all the freshman activities with all the other first year students which I did not like at all because I wasn’t a freshman and considered these activities silly and a big waste of time. In fact I had already been through all of that freshman nonsense, Get-to-know-you activities. I wasn’t here to make friends with these people who I felt really didn’t like or care about me, I was here to get my education as fast as possible and to graduate so that I could get on with the rest of my life. Since I was now a sophomore in college, I took the initiative and started acting like a sophomore. First, I left the freshman orientation activities and did not attend any more. Second, with that extra time I had I used it to walk around campus and learned the location of — the library, the bookstore, the School of Music, and all the main buildings because I would need to know where my classes would be held and where my professor’s offices were located.
The night before I remember praying earnestly to the Lord that He would lead me to find a strong, Holy Ghost anointed, spiritual church home that I could attend while I was at school because I heard and witnessed so many students going to college as Christians only to lose their faith and lose their Salvation at these so-called “Liberal Arts” Colleges (e.g., people using the wrong deduction methods regarding Pascal’s Wager). In college and graduate school I was taught by my professors and learned a lot about –Feminism, Marxism, Communism, Darwinism, Fascism, Freudianism, Socialism, Liberalism, LGBT-Q+, Progressivism, and Globalism, but not so much about Christianity, Sanctification, Purity, Obedience to Christ and Holiness… Why does the World love the Evil and hate the Good?!?
Therefore, as I walked around campus during my DePauw University reconnaissance mission I took a mental note of where everything was located, when I walked passed a diner right in the center of campus. Inside was a Black lady who worked as a waitress and I said to myself, ‘Surely this woman can tell me where I can find a Black Church is in this town.’ After I asked her this question, she immediately told me about a Black Church she attended with her sister. I’m sorry I can’t recall that lady’s name, but if I find it out along with other names from 40 years ago that I am unable to recall I will print them in a revised version of this essay.
As I walked down the streets where that lady told me this church was located, I wanted to be certain of the route so that I would be on time when I first attended this church in a few days. That was Friday. I couldn’t wait for Sunday morning church service to come! I was the first one to arrive at 9:00 am for Sunday School which began at 9:30 am. Soon after I got there this distinguished looking middle-aged man, his beautiful wife and 3 younger children came to the church and introduced themselves as Deacon William and Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith and their children – Judy, David, and Michael. Deacon Smith welcomed me with Joy and open arms as I told the Smith Family I was a new student at DePauw University whose campus was a few blocks from this church called Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 802 S. Crown St., Greencastle, Indiana {rear view}. News Event—Mt. Zion Baptist hosts family, friends and forgiveness days (April 4, 2012). For more information, contact Rev. Kirk Williams at 653-8215 or Charlotte Churchill (653-5554), Jessie Trigg (653-4879) or Helen Webb (653-8088).
I was so excited, elated and joyful to find a new church home that I almost burst like a balloon! Soon after we walked inside the church two more sons of Deacon Smith came in – Brother Jeffrey (who was also a Deacon) and Brother Wade (who was at that time studying to become a Minister). Rev. Wade had a lovely wife named ‘Jeri’ and we all really hit it off immediately. It was like I knew these people for years. As a few more members came into Sunday School class, I saw an older distinguished looking gentleman immaculately dressed enter the church. He was Rev. Bell, the Pastor of the Church, and his wife, Sister Bell. He also taught the Sunday School class.
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What I found particularly amazing was that everyone at this modest but very friendly church seemed to be really happy to meet me and was impressed with my demonstrated spiritual maturity because I made it a #1 priority to immediately (even forsaking college events) pick their church to attend on this beautiful Sunday morning. For the first time since attending DePauw University I felt comfortable living in Greencastle thanks to the loving welcome I received primarily from the Smith Family and the members of that small, friendly and powerful Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Greencastle Indiana.
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Finally Speaking to Deacon Bill and Mrs. Gwen Smith after 41 Years
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On Tues, Aug. 20th, 3 days before Deacon Bill Smith’s Birthday celebration, thanks to son Michael I called my old mentor and friend whom I hadn’t spoken to in over 40 YEARS! when a strange thing happened. As soon as Deacon Smith picked up the phone and said, “Hello” 10,000 scenes flashed through my mind in a second as his deep baritone voice responded to my call with, “Hello Brother Wurshington!” (that’s how Deacon Smith always pronounced my name, and I never corrected him! I rather liked it. It felt like it was a nickname he gave me which I never really had before, however, anyone who has reached 95 years-old, you can call me anything you want!
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Deacon Smith’s voice sounded exactly like I remember it 40 years ago –
deep, strong, confident and commanding. I remember him using that voice from time to time leading our small congregation in a rousing hymn before Rev. Bell or Rev. Wade brought the sermon. When Deacon Smith sung, I didn’t see a mere man, in the Sprit realm I saw a GIANT before the pulpit! His voice was so thunderous and resounding that the reverberations of his voice eventually brought me out of my shyness shell that I had all my life… until that day. One of Deacon Smith’s favorite hymns was this old time Gospel favorite, Pass Me Not (Oh Gentle Savior).
Before Deacon Smith and I got to far into our conversation, he passed the phone so I could first speak to his dear wife, Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith – her voice sounded almost exactly the same also – melodious, sweet and singing like the morning birds, lovely and comforting like an autumn breeze.
<–Deacon William “Bill” and Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith
Even though Mrs. Smith and I didn’t speak to each other long at our reunion conversation after over 40 years, there are a very few people I’ve ever met in the world where you don’t need to say many words to have a profound connection or engage in a deep conversation –where what you said and only that, needed to be said, and what was not said is understood by the parties as not necessary to say at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were those type of Amazing, Deep, Profound, Spiritual people.
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When I first spoke to them after over 40 years it was like nothing had changed. It was like firing up a huge machine or igniting a powerful, huge power plant that lay dormant for decades, but once the fire was lit you picked right up from where you left off 40 years ago to today like time was suspended in space. When I spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Smith now, or 40 years ago, I always felt a deep, profound, transcendent feeling like I was speaking with an Angel of the Lord.
In fact what moved me to reconnect with the Smith family after 40 years was an essay I had recently written titled—Symposium—Synopsis of the Dialogues of the Book of Job (posted on my blog, July 4, 2024) –
Here is the Dedication I wrote to the Smith Family at the beginning of my Dialogue on the Book of Job—
To The William “Bill” and Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith Family of Greencastle (now Terra Haute), Indiana (including children – Steve, Jeffrey, Wade, Judy, David, Michael). During the time I attended college at DePauw University (1980-83), I attended a wonderful church called Mt. Zion Baptist Church for 3 years during my matriculation there. The Smith Family were the pillar of that church and civic community and from DAY ONE they welcomed me as their Son. One of their son’s (Wade) who was studying to become a Pastor, gave me a wonderful book as a graduation gift given to me in the reception area of Mt. Zion Baptist Church when the Smith Family met my Family and gave me a going away party (May 15, 1983). I used that Magnificent book for over 40 years in my Christian development and used it as a reference book when composing this Symposium—Synopsis of the Dialogues of the Book of Job written by H. L. Willmington, Willmington’s Guide to the Bible (1982).
Original Dedication to Ellis Washington by Rev. Wade and Mrs. Jeri Smith
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Ellis, May 15, 1983 “We thought that this book would be an asset to your Biblical studies! Some have said that this book ‘just floated down from Heaven’, because it has such excellent qualities! We will miss you tremendously. Please visit, please write! We will continue in prayers for you and your studies.” In the name of Christ with Love, Rev. Wade & Mrs. Jeri Smith |
Next are a few episodes I recalled which I posted on Son Michael’s Facebook page celebrating the 95th birthday of Deacon Smith—
Facebook Posts to Michael Smith’s Page Celebrating Bill Smith’s 95th Birthday (Aug. 23, 2024)
Post #1— 
Exceeding 
Gratitude and Love
to my Main Mentor, Deacon William “Bill” & Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith and to their 6 beautiful and loving children who from 1980-83 while I was a student at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana welcomed me into Mt. Zion Baptist Church and treated me as their “6th Son” who had been “lost for the past 41 years. However, like the Prodigal Son in the Bible “I once was lost, but now am found” and returned back home to my Family who as they did 44 years before in 1980, likewise in 2024 has welcomed me back with the open arms of Christian LOVE
Michael, or somebody in the Smith Family PLEASE send me a recording of Mr. Smith’s sermon from last Sunday. I want to write an essay dedicated to him and the Smith Family on my Critical Thinking blog: www.EllisWashingtonReport.com to be published in about 2 weeks.
Post #2— I was Honoured to reconnect by phone with Mr. & Mrs. Smith last week after not talking to them since I graduated from DePauw University in 1983 (41 years ago!) Together with Jeffrey We had a MAGNIFICENT conversation and Mr. Smith reminded me that he and I had lots and lots of private conversations (Man-to-Man talks) back in the day. While I recall some of those talks, I NOW realize the Spiritual significance of his loving mentorship toward me. Mr. Smith was teaching me how to be a Man and, in the future, to be a Christian husband and father to my family.
Over the past 3 days I literally just posted this message about my Son, Stone Washington to over 1,000 media entities, Think Tanks, Family, Friends, Strangers and Colleagues. I NOW realize that the seeds Mr. Smith planted in me during my college years (1980-83) have taken root, bloomed and blossomed in the lives of future generations in America and all over the WORLD. (*N.B.: My blog has over nearly 25 MILLION views both nationally and globally thanks to the seed planted by Mr. Smith and the Smith Family 40+ years ago!) My son’s post is in the next frame. . .
Post #3—My son, Stone Washington, is a Research Fellow at the D.C. Think Tank, Competitive Enterprise Institute [CEI], who presented this veryOutstanding Declaration produced by @CEI.org exposing the Resident Biden’s Securities and Exchange Commission’s [SEC] treasonous and unconstitutional Climate Disclosure Rule which Stone contends is NOT designed to protect the environment, but to DESTROY American Businesses and to DECONSTRUCT Free Market Capitalism in America.
The SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule is also an unconstitutional violation of the Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, known as the “CONTRACT CLAUSE” which imposes certain prohibitions on the states. These prohibitions are meant to protect individuals from intrusion by state governments and to keep the states from intruding on the enumerated powers of the U.S. federal government and the Natural Rights of We the People which originate from the Bible and codified in America’s founding documents by all the Constitutional Framers under Natural Law… And Please give the Truth to our Youth.
Notable People I Remember at DePauw University and Members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Greencastle, Indiana
Before the conclusion of my Essay Celebrating the 95th Birthday of my Surrogate Father, Life Mentor and Dear Friend, Deacon Bill Smith, I must remember several dear members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Community, real Saints of the Lord who were so kind to me—
· Deacon Bill Smith – Unfortunately I really didn’t know my biological father (Ivan Washington [d. 2015]) who divorced my mother when I was a baby of 18 months old, yet Jesus Christ in his infinite Mercy and Grace gave me a series of father figures like your Deacon Smith to teach me how to become a strong Christian Man. Besides what I’ve already written about you in this essay celebrating your 95th Birthday, in a word – I wish you were my Father.
· Mother Gwendolyn Smith – She is the Last of the Mohicans! – A Wonderful Christian Lady who utterly devoted to, submits to, and obeys her husband, supports her husband and lovingly raised 6 Christian children. She was an OUTSTANDING cook who used to invite the DePauw students over for Sunday afternoon diners. (I can still taste those legendary diners 40 years later!) Mother Smith is also very intelligent, has a cogent mind, and I always thought (even back in the day) that she was well-read and an intellectual who would have made an Outstanding Professor. Besides what I’ve written about this beautiful First Lady of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in a word – I wish you were my Mother. Everything else I’ve written in this extended essay narrative only builds upon that simple, yet profound thesis.
· Pastor Bell – He was the Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and a very kind and determined man who preached the Word of God boldly and without apology. Every Sunday he and his lovely wife, Sister Bell would travel down to Greencastle from Indianapolis where they lived. Rev. Bell was also the church pianist who played very aggressively and strong, lively and animated in a Fats Waller or Art Tatum stride-piano style. Sometimes Rev. Bell and his wife performed a duet, the old Gospel hymn – “Even Me”.
Pastor Bell also taught a Wednesday evening Bible Study that I often attended when my studies allowed which was a fantastic way to learn about the Bible. He was an excellent teacher of the Bible. Sometimes Rev. Wade would lead the class which I always loved because he taught with such enlightenment, passion and authority.
Sadly, I believe Rev. Bell passed away after a short illness in early 1983 (a few months before I graduated). I remember going to his funeral in Indianapolis with the Smith Family and meeting some of his other relatives. Rev. Bell always wanted to preach a future sermon he titled, “99 1/2 [%] Won’t Due, It’s Got to Be 100[%].” I regret that Rev. Bell never got to preach that sermon, but in a way, he did preach that sermon through the long, AWESOME life of Deacon Bill Smith and his lovely, devoted wife, Mother Gwen Smith.
· Sister Jessie Trigg – Was a very friendly, loving, but unassuming, quiet and Saintly woman who was at Sunday School and Church every Sunday and was a pillar of the Christian Church community at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She sat next to Sister Gwen Smith (who seemed to be very good friends with one another). She would always give me a big hug every Sunday morning and looked up at me with such a sense awe and Christian love while gently squeezing my hand. The only other people in the world who looked up at me with such love was my dearly departed Grandmother Lucille Washington and my Great Aunts – Queenie and Leola Washington the latter of whom lived to be 103!
Before I graduated and left Greencastle, I remember Sister Trigg inviting me to her home (she had a ½ in her address which I never heard of before). She wanted me to meet her husband and son. We had a very nice conversation for about 45 minutes in which I prayed for her and her family. I really felt honored to be invited to the home of Sister Trigg.
Sister Trigg worked as a domestic and one of the homes she cleaned belonged to Deacon Oscar Chatman, but originally belonged to perhaps the most famous resident of Greencastle and DePauw University and I believe the first Black graduate of DePauw University, the legendary Black Chemist – PERCY LEVON JULIAN (1899-1975).
Excerpt from Dr. Percy Julian’s Biography at DePauw.edu}
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Percy Lavon Julian ’20 was born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, Ala., one of six children. His father, James Sumner Julian, a railroad mail clerk, and his mother, Elizabeth Lena Adams, a schoolteacher stressed education to their children.
Percy attended elementary school in Birmingham and moved on to Montgomery, Alabama where he attended high school at the State Normal School for Negroes. Upon graduation in 1916, Julian applied to and was accepted into DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. At DePauw, he began as a probationary student, having to take higher level high school classes along with his freshman and sophomore course load. He proved himself well, going on to be named a member of the Sigma Xi honorary society as well as a Phi Beta Kappa member. Finally, upon graduation from DePauw in 1920, he was selected as the class valedictorian. Though at the top of his class, he was discouraged from seeking admission into graduate school because of potential racial sentiment on the part of future coworkers and employers. Instead, he took the advice of an advisor and took a position as a chemistry teacher at Fisk University, a Black college in Nashville, Tennessee. After two years at Fisk, Julian was awarded the Austin Fellowship in Chemistry and moved to the distinguished Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Finally given an opportunity at graduate level work, Julian excelled. He achieved straight A’s, finishing at the top of his class and receiving a Master’s Degree in 1923. Even with this success, Julian was unable to obtain a position as a teaching assistant at any major universities because of the perception that white students would refuse to learn under a black instructor. Thus, he moved on to a teaching position at West Virginia State College for Negroes, though he would not find happiness in this situation. He left West Virginia and served as an associate professor of chemistry at Howard University in Washington, D.C. for two years… |
While a graduate student at Harvard University (1988-89) I went on a recruiting trip to DePauw University in Jan. 1989 where I had the honor of staying overnight at the Family Home of Dr. Percy Julian which (as mentioned above) was then owned by a mutual mentor and friend of me and Deacon Smith – Deacon Oscar Chatman who always called me “Brother Watson!” (and like with Mr. Smith, who called me “Brother Wurshington”, I never corrected him).
· Deacon Oscar Chatman had a daughter, Dr. Dorothy Chatman-Brown who like her father made history. Dr. Brown was the first Black person to teach in the Greencastle Public Schools and the first Black person to be appointed principal of an elementary school in Greencastle (Ridpath Elementary). She later was appointed to an administrative position in the Education Department at DePauw University (1986-89). DePauw University even renamed its Cultural Resource Center to the Dorothy Brown Resource Center in her honor.
Although I didn’t know her very well Dr. Dorothy Brown, or “Mama Brown” as she was affectionately called by the DePauw University students, I found her to be a very helpful, kind and demure person who would come to church from time to time. When I came to DePauw in 1989 for a Harvard recruiting trip to DePauw, she helped organize a nice reception meeting with me and DePauw students interested in attending Harvard and afterwards a meeting with the Black Student Association there (a group which I was President of 1982-83), The Association of African-American Students (AAAS).
*Dr. Dorothy Chatman-Brown
· Tyrone – I met first him when he was a little kid about 10 years old and he was Michael Smith’s little friend and partner in crime. Every Sat. morning I taught them French Horn and gave them lessons at the DePauw University School of Music. However, after a few music lessons I soon realized that they weren’t that interested in music, but enjoyed coming to the School of Music, hanging out with me, and running errands for me.
Some of these errands they did for me included helping me in my secret evangelical efforts of passing out Bible tracts all over campus at DePauw University. I was amazed and my faith in Jesus Christ was greatly strengthened by the way in which Michael and Tyrone both enthusiastically helped me in this humble mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to my fellow students and faculty members at DePauw University and even to neighbors living in the Greencastle, Indiana community! Below are some of the main Gospel tracts Tyrone, Michael and myself distributed amounting to about 10,000 tracts!
This private evangelical outreach was started by me in 1976 shortly after I became a Christian on Aug. 8, 1976 and just before entering high school which I surmise over the past nearly 50 years I passed out between 800,000-1,000,000+ gospel tracts all over America … and throughout the world.
*N.B.: Chick Tracts (R) is the largest publisher of Gospel Tracts in the world and I believe still holds the world record for the largest publication of any materials apart from the Bible. I love the fact that evangelism is paramount in all Chick Tracts and thus the last page explains in detail how to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
These little boys being about 10-year-old at that time (circa 1980) sometimes Tyrone and Michael would forget their Sunday School training and get into extra-curricular activities like bothering some of my fellow students – e.g., Tafessework [“Tafe”] Bekele Mageru (my dormmate from Ethiopia), Troy Langston (the center on the DePauw University Basketball team), James ‘Jim’ Underdown (my former crazy dormmate, DePauw 1981 Championship football player and Executive Dir. of the Center for Inquiry), Gene, Pharez (my fellow School of Music colleague and best friend), Alan P. Hill ’81 (former V.P. of Student Affairs, Dean of Students at DePauw (retired 2022), former President of Association of Afro-American Students (AAAS), who was on the 1981 DePauw Football Championship team who briefly was an NFL player, legendary Olympian and one of DePauw’s earliest graduate students), his future wife, Jennett Hill ’85 (when I took over as President of AAAS after Alan’s tenure, Jennett was my V.P. at AAAS, my confidant and right-hand girl back in the day. I was elated to learn later that she and Alan later married. Jennett went to a top-tier law school and for several decades has been a leading legal expert in business law and non-profits).
Alan Hill, 1981′ – Vice President for Student Academic life and dean of experiential learning at DePauw and 1981 graduate of the University. I recently learned that Alan recently retired from this administrative position at DePauw U in 2022.
*Mason Hall (L) was located in the area at DePauw University called ‘The Quad’
· Orcenith Smith – Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras, Orcenith Smith was named “Outstanding Professor of Music” three times at DePauw. He was perhaps one of the most influential professors I’ve ever had in my college life. Professor Smith was a wonderful Christian man, excellent musician and a conductor of the highest rank who should have been the conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Because of his yeoman work ethic Professor Smith helped me become a better college student, a better classical musician, a better Christian and a better Man.
Roy Swihart – Professor Swihart‘s History of Education class really helped me to learn about education, historiography methods and research techniques which aided me greatly as a had a minor in History and when I later became a historian and writer of 11 books and 35 law reviews and scholarly articles.
Pharez Whitted ‘82 – Was my best friend in college. Pharez Whitted, who later was appointed as Director of Department Jazz at Northern Illinois University, for the past several decades has been a notable recording artist and performer of Jazz music whose artistry is celebrated nationally and internationally.
Pharez taught me by example about being successful in college and how to avoid pitfalls, to always work hard and remain focused on your goals for success. A polymath, Pharez was on the 1981 Football Championship team at DePauw, but his trumpet professor made him give up that interest because playing football could have damaged his mouth (embouchure) and ruined his aspiring Jazz trumpet career. Also, Pharez had to relearn to play trumpet (being left handed he played with his left hand (like my instrument, the French horn or violin), but his trumpet professor made him switch to playing conventionally with his right hand. Pharez didn’t like it, but he had to change or drop out of college. I’m glad he chose the right path. It took many months of practice and struggle, but Pharez did it! That taught me a lot about the value of perseverance and Pharez’s indominable character.
Another story I remember regarding Pharez was when some of the older students tried to bully me early on Pharez was always there to mediate and smooth things over. Pharez also taught me not to look down my nose at Jazz music, but to appreciate Jazz music and urged me to take a beginning Jazz improvisation class which I did and enjoyed very much and which affected my life in many profound ways. I showed my appreciation by joining the Jazz Band for a semester and buying Pharez some Jazz albums and pizzas at “Marvin’s” on Sat. and Sunday night when the cafeteria closed early because Pharez always had a good appetite (LOL).
*For further reading see my biographical essay on my protegee from back in the day, the Outstanding Jazz Bassist from Detroit and Director and Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, Rodney Whitaker – I Remember Rodney Whitaker (on John Coltrane’s 95th Birthday).
·Jeffrey– was a very gregarious and outgoing person who never met a stranger and like his father had the gift of gab and of seeing a need and fulfilling a need. Once he came to my dorm with a package for me, it was about a dozen pairs of underwear and some food. Anyone who has been in college before knows that college students usually need food and clothes ALL THE TIME! I needed that underwear and food and gladly accepted the gifts given to me in Christian Love. Jeffrey was a deacon of the church, was a hard worker and has a loving family. After I left DePauw, Jeffrey recently told me that his two daughters later graduated from DePauw University. I hope you will give this Birthday Essay about their Grandfather Deacon Bill Smith to them with my regards and…GO TIGERS!
· Wade – Perhaps was the person of the Smith siblings I was closest to due to our age similarities, the fact we both were very serious students of the Bible, and liked playing basketball which we did from time to time at the gym at DePauw (with Jeffrey). I loved the few times Rev. Bell would let Wade deliver the Sunday sermon on occasion. One of Wade’s favorite quotes was this one—
“You heard of the old saying, ‘God said it. I believe it. That settles it.’ No! that’s not true according to the Bible. ‘God said it. THAT SETTLES IT! !’ (Whether you believe the Bible or not).
I especially loved it when Rev. Wade preached sermons on Obedience or Holiness to the Lord. You don’t hear many sermons on Holiness, Sanctification, Purity or Obedience nowadays. I guess Holiness and Obedience are out of fashion in 2024?!? But not if Rev. Wade and his father Deacon Bill Smith has anything to say about it.
· Judy – I don’t have many memories of Sister Judy except at church where you were very quiet and stayed near your mother. One story, however, remains in my mind to this day which I have never told anyone about. I believe it was near the end of my Junior year in college (1982). One night I received a surprise phone call from Wade who asked me to help him on a private matter. (I hope I don’t get in trouble now for making it public since this story was told to me in confidence).
Wade called me one night and asked me to contact his sister, Judy and get to know her better (as a friend). Even though at that time in my life I was very shy, yet because of the respect I had for him and his family, I accepted and had a nice conversation with her for about 30 minutes an enjoyed hearing about her hopes and aspirations for the future, but because it was the end of the year I didn’t follow up speaking with here during the summer and the moment was lost. However, Dr. Judy seems to be doing very well, I understands she has a PhD. degree, no doubt a subsequent successful career and fulfilling family life.
Judy: Do you think we would have made a good couple back in the day?!?
(lol)
· David and Steve – Michael tells me that Brother David is a Pastor in Pennsylvania. That’s great news! The Army of Jesus Christ cannot get enough strong Men of God to shepherd the flock of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Regarding David, you never know how people will turn out. David was always quiet, nice, obedient, and he was the one brother that I knew the least.
Also regarding the eldest brother, Steve, whom I don’t ever remember meeting because I recently learned from Deacon Smith that his eldest son at that time in the early 1980s was away as a student at Franklin College.
However, during my senior year I was a student teacher and helped direct the band and orchestra at the Greencastle High School where David attended. Since David played percussion in the band, sometimes I would play the tuba (which was seated in the back of the band next to the percussion section) during rehearsals so David and I would talk during those times and got to know each other a little better.
*N.B.: Pastor David Smith joins Brennan to discuss Bethel Bible Fellowship Church’s mission statement and why it’s important. (Aired April 11, 2024)
· Michael – Was my Main Man who I was able to contact via Facebook to find the Smith Family after over 40 years in early July 2024. I was able to look up and find Michael Smith’s Facebook page which was a treasure trove of Family pictures and Love. Michael has been a BIG help to making this Birthday Essay possible. Many of my memories of Michael can be found above in my section regarding his friend and partner in crime, Tyrone. Michael, (being the baby of the family), was sometime mischievous and when he didn’t do something his father wanted, Deacon Smith in frustration would forget his name and call out to his son by the names of all of his brothers. The dialogue went something like this—
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o Deacon Smith: Steve, get over here…! o Michael: That’s not my name. o Deacon Smith: Jeffery…! o Michael: That’s not my name. o Deacon Smith: Wade…! o Michael: That’s not my name. o Deacon Smith: David…! o Michael: That’s not my name. o Deacon Smith: Michael…! o Michael: Yes, dad. How may I help you? |
Hearing that funny interaction, I would be ready to roll over on the floor, but Mr. Smith and Michael taught me several valuable lessons in parenting that I would use the rest of my life: (1) Always keep the lines of communication open (even when you are frustrated, angry, or disappointed in your children); (2) Don’t be too serious or severe with your children all the time (Remember! They are children, NOT adults); (3) “Always lead with love” (e.g., respect, humor, good intentions) when interacting with your children, or with anyone for that matter and keep the atmosphere nice, friendly and enjoyable if possible. “Always lead with love” – was a wise aphorism I learned from the ex-NBA player, Kwame Brown, who often said that statement on his popular blog – Kwame Brown Bust Life.
Michael, you have a very BEAUTIFUL Wife and 2 strong, handsome sons. To make their minds as strong as their bodies I suggest you make them read this essay, the essay on the Book of Job that I dedicated to your family in August, and other writings of mine written for the Youth linked above. It is important to ask them questions about these works which have the anointing of the Holy Ghost upon them so you can access their understanding and chart their intellectual growth and development.
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These writings will strengthen their hearts and minds of your sons to become more devoted to Jesus and to block out and defeat the evil propaganda, ideas and Big Lies from Social media, News Media, the public and private schools that all goes against the Word of God.
Michael Smith’s 2 Strong Sons
Epilogue—Conclusions: Deacon Bill and Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith taught me 3 Things: (1) Always Love and Pray for Everybody, (2) Make Jesus Christ #1 in All Things in your Life and (3) After God comes Family
The Wisdom of Mentorship Down through the Ages
In our recent phone conversation on Aug. 20, 2024, and after over 40 years being apart, Deacon Smith reminded me of the many, many conversations we had during the 3 years I was at DePauw University (1980-83). As I thought back, I remember some of those conversations which I now realize really helped me to grow as a Christian and as a Man. Mr. Smith was always so kind and freely gave advice that he saw that I needed which was always spot on (even though I may not have realized it or appreciated his advice fully at that time). For example, Mr. Smith taught me that in the future when I got married and started a family to always put Jesus Christ #1 in everything in your life; especially with your son.
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I know now after reconnecting with my surrogate parents, Deacon Bill Smith and Mother Gwen Smith, that I could not have kept my family together through all the slings and arrows from the Devil and his minions these 40+ years without their prayers and fastings on my behalf. It was these faithful, transcendent and earnest demonstrations of Christian LOVE towards me as a college student 44 years ago that I cannot thank you enough for implanting in my SOUL, nor ever repay you for this profound Love you have given to me and put in my heart through my daily witnessing of your family Life in Christ Jesus.
*N.B.: The Washington Family — Stone, Evelyn, Eden and Ellis at the Harbor Front, downtown Baltimore, Maryland (vacation: May 2024)
Deacon Smith taught me the inestimable value of mentorship and passing down Life lessons to the next generation. Thus, Deacon Smith through his example with me as my Spiritual Mentor, taught me to place my son into the hands of older, wise men to help me mentor my son especially while he is away from home as I was mentored by Deacon Smith 44 years ago as a sophomore at DePauw in Aug. 1980. I followed that wise advice from Mr. Smith which I mention in the memes and pictures below with two great Black Men I made my son chose to become his Intellectual mentors: (1) Justice Clarence Thomas (the 2nd Black Man to serve as a Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and my intellectual mentor and friend since I attended Harvard Law School with future Manchurian Candidate, Barack Hussein Obama [Jan. 1989]).
· Ellis Washington, Justice Clarence Thomas. . . and the Road Not Taken (2020)
· Stone Washington, Honoring “Chief” Justice Thomas’s Thirty Years of Service on the U.S. Supreme Court (2021)
and (2) Walter E. Williams (1936-2020), a legendary Libertarian Economist, Political Philosopher, prolific iconoclastic writer, and long-time Professor of Economics at George Mason University—
*N.B.: Libertarian Economist, Dr. Walter E. Williams (1936-2020) was my dear intellectual mentor who helped me get my earliest essays published in The Journal of the Social Critic in the early 1990s. When my son attended George Mason University his freshman year (2015) I insisted that he meet with Dr. Williams at his office every week to learn from his lifetime of Wisdom and Knowledge which he glad did and learned many profound lessons of life from this brilliant Man. Below are two essays Stone and I wrote to commemorate and preserve the memory of our dear friend and intellectual mentor.
· Ellis Washington, Lacrymosa for a Libertarian Legend… RIP Professor Walter E. Williams (1936-2020)(2020)
· Stone Washington, Eulogy to Dr. Walter E. Williams—A Friend, Mentor, & Intellectual Giant (2021)
*N.B.: The Eternal Importance of Mentoring Men through the Generations—Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, my son, Stone and Dr. Walter Williams (1936-2020) (Professor Emeritus of Economics, George Mason University), all having lunch together at The Hard Times Café in Fairfax, Virginia (December 13, 2016). One of the greatest things I ever did for my son in this life was to introduce him to these two Strong, Magisterial Men.
I would like to add a third Man to this short list of Great Mentors above that has played such a Blessed and Spiritual role in my development as a Christian Man and Father – Deacon William “Bill” Smith of Greencastle Indiana, one of the GREATEST, DEVOTED, and LOVING persons I ever had the pleasure to meet in this Life.
Category: Commentary
