Smith, Rudolph
SMITH, Rev., Dr., Rudolph
The Rev. Dr. Rudolph Smith, age 90, passed May 19, 2021. A 1948 honors graduate of Booker T. Washington HS, a 1961 magna cum laude graduate of Morris Brown College and a 1964 magna cum laude graduate of The Interdenominational Theological Seminary, he was the first African-American Church of God pastor in Georgia to earn a M.Div. He was the founding pastor of Community Church of God in southwest Atlanta for 32 years before retiring in 1998.
A highly respected teacher, preacher and visionary leader he was also a charter member of the Concerned Black Clergy (CBC) of Atlanta. Dr. Smith has served the church locally, state-wide and nationally holding many leadership positions. He was most passionate about the In-Service Training Institute (ISTI), sponsored by the Leadership Development Board of the National Association of the Church of God, where he served as its Dean-Director for 20 years and rendered over 40 years of service as an instructor.
Dr. Smith was the recipient of two honorary degrees in 1991: The Doctor of Divinity from Warner Southern College (Lake Wales, FL) in February and The Doctor of Human Letters from Anderson University (Anderson, IN) in June.
Two scholarship are named in his honor: The Reverend Dr. Rudolph Smith Scholarship of Excellence by the Georgia Youth Inspirational Fellowship (YIF) of the Church of God and the Richardson Ecumenical Fellowship (REF) Rudolph Smith Scholarship at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
He was the recipient of numerous awards including the Legacy Award (2008) and the Distinguished Merit Award (2016) from the Concerned Black Clergy and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of the Church of God in 2017.
The author of two books, People of Color in the Bible and Stewardship More than Money, he also contributed to many Christian journals and magazines.
On May 19, 2021, The Rev. Dr. Rudolph Smith departed this life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mrs. Edna Knowles Smith; two children, Rev. Dr. Michael Allan Smith (Felecia), and Rev. Cheryl Smith Benefield, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandson; four siblings, one aunt, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, god children, sons and daughters in the ministry and his beloved Community Church of God Family.
The Service of Triumph will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at noon at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Dr., Atlanta, GA 30311. Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams, Sr. Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Earley, Sr., officiant. Viewing will be held at Community Church of God, 850 Cascade Ave., SW. Atlanta, GA 30311 on Monday, May 24, 2021 from 2 – 7 PM Masks and social distancing will be observed with limited seating. Interment: South-View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions to Community Church of God for the Kingdom Project – www.ccogatl.org/give Services can be live streamed at pmbcatlanta.com, youtube.com/provideceATL, facebook.com/ProvidenceAtlanta.
Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel (404)-758-1731.
View the obituary on Legacy.com
Funeral Home Information
Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home - West End Chapel
1003 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd
Atlanta, GA
30310
https://williewatkins.com/?utm_campaign=legacytraffic&utm_source=legacy&utm_medium=referral
