Dr. William (Bro. Mike) Michael Smith

William Michael Smith, better known as Bro. Mike, was born June 17, 1950, in Butler, Alabama to L C and Dot Smith. He passed from this life into the presence of Jesus on April 11, 2025. He married Susan Claire Springer on January 5, 1974. She was his love and support for over 51 years. Without her, the rest to be read could not be. They were blessed with two children, Martha Elaine Smith Gardner and Lance Curtis Smith. Mike loved spending time with his grandkids: William, Emma, and Jacob Gardner and Logan and Landon Smith. He planned many “Pawpaw trips” filled with adventure with the grandsons. He loved to take Emma shopping and to get manicures and pedicures. A wonderful son-in law, James Gardner, and wonderful daughter-in-law, Asheley Smith, were loved and treated just like his children. Mike realized he was a sinner and in need of a Savior. He was saved in 1961 at First Baptist Bellville with Pastor Alvis Bell. The night before Mike was to sign to play football at Texas A&M, Mike knew God was calling him to the ministry. He knelt beside his bed and surrendered his life to serving God. Mike enrolled at Baylor University to study religion. He has aways said, “I don’t know if God was really calling me to preach or just saving me from becoming a Texas Aggie.” Mike never stopped learning. He earned many degrees: BA at Baylor University, MDiv and MRE at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, DMin at Luther Rice Seminary, DEd and PhD at Southern Seminary. He continued to take courses and trainings to help him grow and learn so he could better help churches. He pastored churches across Texas: King Baptist in Gatesville, Frost Baptist in Frost, First Baptist Valley View, First Baptist Edom, and Grace Temple in Terrell where he helped to start Terrell Christian Academy. After pastoring, he was Director of Missions for Double Mountain Baptist Area and Dogwood Trails Baptist Area. He also served as Director of Minister/Church Relations for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. In 2011, Mike became President of Jacksonville College. During this time, he taught Bible courses at the college, was an adjunct professor at Southwestern Seminary and the Baptist Missionary Association of America Seminary. He wanted people to know and understand God’s message and many students came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If college students didn’t have a place to go for holidays, they were always invited to his home to share a meal. His office was always open for students to come and talk. Mike was the epitome of a servant leader. He was active in church and civic organizations. He was a member of Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs around the state. In 2020 he was named Citizen of the Year by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He was also a Volunteer Fireman and Police Chaplain. Wherever he was serving, he desired to know people and share with them how they could know his Savior. Mike also had a love for missions. When Mike and Susan were first married, they were Church Planters with the Home Mission Board in Illinois. Later Mike served as a Trustee of the International Mission Board and as Chairman of Central and Eastern Europe. He preached in 50 different countries on mission trips even at times with guns pointed at him. He also wrote numerous articles for Baptist publications, several devotional books, and a book on conflict. In everything he wrote he longed for people to know and understand God more and how to live out what God’s Word taught. Mike loved to teach and mentor others. He taught numerous Bible studies, conflict management seminars, Deacon Training, Pastor Search Committees, and Transitional Interim Pastor training. Wherever he was serving, he always had groups with people of all ages that he met with regularly to pray together and learn together. He loved when people called and he could help them with a biblical question, a conflict issue, or something with the church. He was available and ready to help anytime. Mike loved people. He loved to spend time with people and play games, especially 42 with dominos. Anytime he could get a group of friends or family together, he loved to play. He understood the importance of having fun and laughing together. When Mike retired, he lived out his dream of buying a 5th wheel camper and traveling around the country to help churches. He worked with churches in Maine, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. Mike and Susan moved the camper to West Virginia on April 8. As soon as everything was set up that day, he headed to work with a pastor there. Mike lived every single day serving His Lord. He died doing what he loved to do. He faithfully lived out his life verse of Philippians 1:21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 Memorials may be made to the International Mission Board at https://www.imb.org/generosity/give-now/?designation=most+needed#imb-give-form or Southern Baptists of Texas Convention at https://sbtexas.com/giving/ Funeral service will be at 11:00am, Thursday, April 17, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Terrell with his family receiving friends beginning at 10:00am to service time. Immediately following Bro. Mike’s funeral service, his family would like to invite you to a reception held at the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center across the street from the church) . A private interment will be held at Oakland Memorial Park.

Tributes

Dr. William (Bro. Mike) Michael Smith

June 17, 1950 - April 11, 2025