Rev. Donald Hugh Smith

Pastor Donald H. Smith was born to Henry Brock and Maude Richmond on November 24, 1934. He is the eldest of nine children. At an early age, he gave his life to Christ. He attended public schools in Houston, TX and he graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in 1953. Pastor Smith was a veteran in the United States Army, 4th Infantry Division from 1958 until 1960. He returned to Houston, TX., after his military service and attended Texas Southern University. Donald Smith received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. Dr. Smith had a very charismatic personality and enjoyed working with youth in the community. He was instrumental in establishing the A. F. Cadet Drill Team of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. L. H. Simpson, D. D. In the early 1970s, Donald became a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend C. L. Jackson. He served in the positions of teacher, deacon and drill team director. The drill team was internationally known as the first church drill unit organization in Houston, Texas. He was the commander in chief of the cadets until the early 1990s. Pastor Smith retired from the United States Postal Office after 30 years of service. Pastor Smith accepted his calling to the ministry and was ordained at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in 1992 under the leadership of Pastor Harvey Clemons. In 1993, he became the pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Smith served faithfully until GOD called him home. Preceding him in death, his parents - Henry Brock and Maude Richmond, one sister, Erbertine Willis, one brother, David Smith Jr., and his grandson Trevor Tubbs. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Effie Smith of 19 years and 7 months. His children are as follows: Stephanie Roberts (Edward), Carla Maddox (Timothy), Zina Johnson, Sonya Smith, Rachel Smith, Brian Smith and Jeffery Johnson. There are 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren. His siblings are Henry Brock (Debra), Eddie Brock, Lorretta Brock, Charles Brock, Jerome Smith, and Harold Huckaby (Doris) and a host of aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.