ANNIE SMITH

Annie Jeannette “Gertrude” Craft was born August 1, 1929 on a hot summers day in Fort Worth TX, to Troy Craft and Mary Blount. She was their only girl. She had two brothers Earnest “Bo”, and Troy Jr. who both preceded her in death.

Picture it, the year 1937, in the hot early morning, little Annie going out in the fields to pick cotton. But yet, she loved the Lord. At 14, she met her one and only love Johnnie Smith and they began a courtship that lasted over 42 years. Annie worked as a cook, maid, seamstress, and most importantly a homemaker. She and Johnnie married in 1943 and started their family. They had four children who all love the Lord and became Apostle, Bishop, First Ladies and Evangelists.

In 1956 her mother-in-law, Inez Smith introduced her to Christ as they attended a Holy Sanctified Church on Baptist Hill. After relocating to Stop Six, she united with Joy Ground Tabernacle COGIC under the pastoral leadership of Elder Earl and Mable Cornelius. Later, in 1963 she joined Heavenly Gospel COGIC, under Elder Claude and Elsie Blaylock. She and Johnnie later relocated to Mansfield and served at Sweet Home COGIC under Elder Lee Edward and Euline Walker. They later joined her baby daughter and son-in-law in 1979 who founded Rebirth Church. There Missionary Smith was appointed Mother Smith and was later appointed Church Mother. Throughout the years she served as an usher, Sunday School teacher Head of the Mothers’ Board and anywhere else needed.

God called her home May 18, 2018, leaving a hole in our hearts, but heaven is rejoicing. God has a real prayer warrior up there. (She is probably spinning around praising God. Mother Smith has left us to join her true love Johnnie who preceded her in death in 1984 and other loved ones gone before.

She leaves behind four children: Mary Ann (Darwin) Williams, Johnnie (Julia) Smith, Jr., Troylene (Rufus) Jones, and Brenda Faye (Sammie) Sullivan; thirteen grandchildren: Pamela Dial, Shaunica Thompson, Shanay Thompson, Catrina Sullivan, Bethany Smith, Tiffany Austin, Tamika Austin, Adam Smith, Latrice Sullivan, Sammie Sullivan, Jr., Wellington Wair, Leta Lacey, and Justyn Glover; thirty-four great grandchildren; seventeen great- great-grandchildren; lots of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She walked and talked the life style that many wish they could.