Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 19 June 2008 — Page 7

The Muncie Times • June 19, 2008 • Page 7

continued from page 1 Mother Pearlie Mae Smith. Into this union were bom six sons and four daughters. Upon the decease of Mother Smith, he was later united in holy matrimony to Sister Donna Marie Parker. Bishop Smith worked at Broderick’s Company from 1964 through 1992. He was the Pastor of Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Faith Churches in Muncie and Indianapolis, Indiana. Bishop Ira Smith was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in April of 1964 under the tutelage of Bishop Nathaniel Madden. He was soon called into the ministry and within a few years was Ordained and became the Assistant Pastor of Emmanuel Temple Church. Working closely with Bishop Madden, the care of the Church in Muncie was placed in his hands while Bishop Madden focused on the Church in Indianapolis. As Bishop Madden’s visits to Muncie became fewer, Bishop Smith labored diligently night and day at the Church in the service of the Lord. First Lady Donna Smith praised her husband of 11 years, calling him a “man of dignity.” She said he was a father not only to his churches in Indianapolis and Muncie, but to others who weren’t members of Emanuel Temple Apostolic Faith. “He was a father figure

to many, not only to his own children and the church family, but people looked to him. He provided leadership spiritually, naturally, and physically. He cared for the souls of mankind, and he truly looked out for people and the condition that they were in. When he would hear about tragedies all over the world, he would grieve. He would pray for the children who are coming into the world not being raised according to the word of God. He knew that violence was in the land, and his heart was sent to help the people." Evangelist Smith said her late husband was deeply troubled by mod-ern-day troubles, from people killing one another to those hurt by natural disasters. "He truly served the people, and was constantly striving to get them to turn from wickedness and violence and to find refuge in God," she said. "He was grieved because he said the children are like beast, with no knowledge, doing all kind of abominable and ungodly things. His passion was to see the people converted to serve the true and living God in the beauty of holiness. He wanted them to receive blessings and not be cursed." Beatrice (Bea) MotenFoster, said Bishop Smith was a "giant" among preachers. "He never changed through the years, and he preached the unadulterated word of

God," Foster said. "He was - as they say - old school. Not only would he preach the Bible without additions or subtractions, he always made sure the sanctuary was a sacred place." Foster said she would stop by his church from time to time on her way to The Muncie Times office, which is just around the comer from Emanuel. "There were times when I would greet him and tell him not to change, to continue to preach the Word," she said. "He was the pastor, but he was often in service doing carpentry, painting and roofing for the church as well." Foster said there were times when she would also stop by Emanuel for the praise and worship services, which were filled with the Spirit. "With his passing there is a tremendous loss to his churches, not just in Indianapolis and Muncie, but also to the state of Indiana." Muncie resident Wuanita Smith, the Bishop's sister-in-law, said she always "thought highly of the family." She had particular fondness for Bishop's sons, saying "we always got along." “I married into this wonderful family 34 years ago,” she added. “Bishop Smith baptized me in Jesus name in 1975. He and Pearlie Mae raised a beautiful family. The family name is good because of Godly parents. Ira was a hardworking man, both at Broderick’s and for the

Lord. He fought a good fight and kept the faith until the end.” Bishop Smith, who was faithful to Bishop Madden as well as to God, was named by Bishop Madden as the next Pastor of both churches in Muncie and Indianapolis. Upon Bishop Madden’s decease in 1984, he was installed as Pastor carrying on this tremendous work for the Lord. During his tenure as Pastor of two Churches, Bishop Smith became the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio District Council Vice Chairman; the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio District Council Chairman; the first Indiana State Council Chairman, and the Vice Chairman and Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Emmanuel Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith National Association Incorporate, a position he held until his decease. Survivors include his wife of 11 years, Evangelist Donna Smith; six sons, Elder I. LaMonte Smith (wife Missionary Sandra), Donnell Smith, Terrell Smith, James Smith, Steven Ladon Smith (wife Ezma) all of Muncie, and Brother Jeremy Smith of Indianapolis; three daughters, Sister Angel Carter (husband Minister Dexter), Sister Shameka Rochelle Smith and LaKisha Shamell Smith, all of Indianapolis; a sister, Mossie Phillips of Crenshaw, Mississippi; 19 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, a host of

nieces and nephews and two special additions to the family, Kectrick Phillips of Denver, Colorado and Sister Kimberly Thorpe of Indianapolis, Indiana. Bishop Smith was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Mother Pearlie Mae Smith, one daughter (deceased at birth), his parents, two brothers Leon Smith and Eddie Lee Smith, two sisters, Mother Sarah Long and Missionary Elizabeth Taylor. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday June 17,2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Faith Church, located at 6138 N. Michigan Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana. Calling hours were from 4:00pm-6: 30pm. Home Going Services were Wednesday June 18, 2008 at 11:00am at Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Faith Church located 1300 E. Highland Ave. Muncie, Indiana. District Elder Huron A. Seaton of Terre Haute, Indiana officiated. Burial will be at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie. Arrangements were entrusted to Tracy Lewis, Owner/Director, of Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond, Indiana. Memorials directed to Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Church at 1300 E. Highland Ave. Muncie, IN 47303. Send online condolences or sign the guest book at www.communityfamilyfh.com.