Bishop Chester M. Smith

Bishop Chester M. Smith, age 77 of Demorest, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at his residence.

Born in Reedsville, West Virginia on October 3, 1939, he was a son of the late Earl M. Smith and Nellie Dane Costello Smith. Bro. Chet served The Congregational Holiness Church as General Superintendent and General World Missions Executive Director. He also served on the West Carolina District Presbytery, the North Georgia District Presbytery, and pastor of several churches. He was a member of the Cornelia Congregational Holiness Church and served his country proudly in the United States Army.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Quinlene “Quinn” Chavous Smith; brothers, Fay Smith, Nelson Smith, Robert Lee Smith, Max Smith; sisters, Wanda Ward Strahan and Violet Braddock.

Surviving are wife, Bertha Lewis Smith of Demorest; daughters and sons-in-law, Tina & Alvin Jenkins of Grovetown and Deborah & Jeryle Roach of Cornelia; sons and daughters-in-law, David & Jenny Lewis of Cornelia and Joe & Florence Lewis of Cleveland; grandchildren, Ronnie Hammock, Toby Hammock, Leah, Myra, Matthew, Zach, Liza, Silas, John, Ethan, & Joy; great grandchildren, Dautrey Hammock, Cole Hammock, Abby Hammock, Kendrick, King, Gracyn, Layton, Isaiah, Merci, Benjamin, & Maelee; sisters, Glenda Bates, Ethel Wozniak, Rose Fecik; also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 2 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with Rev. Clarence Reynolds, Rev. Scott Ledbetter, and Rev. David Lewis officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 pm on Monday and Tuesday.

A second Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 pm Friday, January 6, 2017, at Norris Chapel Holiness Church, 5475 Augusta Hwy, Dearing, GA 30808. Bro Smith will lie in state at the church from 11 am until the funeral hour. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.