Shirley Ann Smith

Shirley Ann Smith was born on Monday, September 7, 1936, in Winchester, Tennessee to Hunile V. Taylor and Janie Catherine Taylor. Shirley was the middle child of six children - Charles, Buford, Jackie, Rose, and Frances.

At the age of 15 months, due to the passing of her mother, Shirley was raised by her aunt and uncle, Lee Roy and Grace Allgood in Winchester, Tennessee where she attended Townsend School. By the age of seventeen, she went to live with her father in Ohio.

In 1959, Shirley moved to Seattle, Washington and begin working at Lindon Cannery and Boeing. She later became employed with Safeway Grocery Store, then Larry’s Market as a Meat Wrapper where she retired after many years. During this time, she also attended SOIC School and Seattle Community College.

In 1973, Shirley met and married the love of her life, Lee M. Smith. With this union, she was also blessed with stepchildren – Lee Jr., Anthony, & Dianne. It was in that same year at Revival Church Of God In Christ, under the leadership of Elder Luther J. Green, where Shirley received Christ as her personal Savior and served as a Bible Band teacher, was a member of the Usher Board for many years, & served in many other departments/ministries.

Shirley Smith joined the Upper Room Church of God in Christ in 1975, under the pastorage of Assistant Superintendent Kelly Easter, Jr. A few years later, being obedient to her husband, Shirley visited numerous churches. But one day, she heard the Voice of the Lord say, “Go back home!” It was at that point she obeyed God and went back to Upper Room COGIC. After the passing of Pastor Kelly Easter, Mother Smith remained at Upper Room COGIC under the leadership Lady Ruth Easter, now Pastor Easter, working closely by her side for 14 years until the Lord called Mother Smith to her Heavenly home.

In her 45 years under the leadership of the Easter’s Mother Smith was a faithful servant in every aspect and was appointed to serve in various capacities. She was a Bible Band Teacher, received her license as a Missionary in the Church of God in Christ in 2015, and was appointed as Church Mother in June 2014.

Knowing the many “benefits” that come with age, Mother Smith had a love and heart for the Seniors and didn’t want them to face challenges when attending service. Thus, she financially assisted Pastor Ruth Easter in installing a ramp which was named in memory of Assistant Supt. Kelly Easter, Jr., Eld. Lee Smith (her late husband), & Mo. Elise Dickerson. On top of that, she donated the funds for the church’s elevator lift. The Legacy of Mother Shirley Smith will leave a lasting impression on Upper Room COGIC and many people for generations to come.

Mother Smith didn’t just serve in her local church, but she served her community by working at the YMCA (2004-2012) on 23rd and Madison instructing exercise and water aerobics classes. Due to the outpouring of love over the years that she provided to the community, Mother Smith made many friends and received the 2005 Volunteer of the Year Award. She was a woman of grace, sound wisdom and many accomplishments; she is & will always be loved by so many for her kind-hearted spirit, gentleness, nurturing soul, sincere heart for people, caring attitude, warm smile, and generosity.

On December 27, 2021, in Renton, Washington, Mother Smith transitioned from this life to glory, assured by II Corinthians 5:1 (Amplified version), “…if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Mother Shirley Smith was preceded in death by her beloved husband – Elder Lee M. Smith; mother – Janie Taylor; father – Hunile Taylor; daughter – Fransene Taylor (as an infant); stepsons – Lee, Jr. & Anthony; brothers – Charles & Buford; sisters – Jackie & Rose; and godson’s Audrel (Bo) Banks, and , Christian “Froggy” Pierce.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sister – Frances (Fred); brother – William “Dickie” Hunt; stepdaughter – Dianne Smith-Edwards; three grandsons – Aron-Tera, Sean Smith-Ellie, & Elisha Smith; two great-granddaughters – Mina Smith & Aria; goddaughters – Terry Banks-Harris, & Kim Patton (Robert, II); godsons – Anthony “Beeper” Fields, Romon Fields, Armoen Reddick, Malachi Johnson (Jamie), & Pete Carter (Debbie); grand-godchildren – Brea Patton & Robert Patton III; best friend – Rose Pierce; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.