Louis Graham Smith

Louis Graham Smith, Sr. died in Clinton, MS on February 2, 2015, at the age of 75. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 9:00 to 10:00 am in the worship center of Frist Baptist Church, Jackson. The funeral will be held at the worship center of First Baptist Church, Jackson on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 10:00 am. The burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport, Mississippi at 4:30 pm on February 5, 2015.

L. Graham Smith was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on September 29, 1939. Smith was a 1958 graduate of Gulfport High School, received a BSEd degree in 1961 from Mississippi College, and was a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received the Master of Church Music degree, with a major in Conducting.

He served the following churches in the capacity of Minister of Music: Collins Baptist Church, Collins, MS; Central Baptist Church, Port Arthur, TX; First Baptist Church, Laurel, MS; First Baptist Church, Pascagoula, MS; Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS; Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton, MS; and First Baptist Church, Natchez, MS.

In 1988, Graham Smith accepted the position of Church Music Director with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. He served in that capacity for twenty-three years. “Sharing the Song of Jesus” was his heart’s focus, desire and mission statement. As Church Music Director, Graham remained focused on his primary call of ministry through music to the local church. He was privileged to serve over 38 churches in an interim capacity.

During his tenure at the MBCB, he coordinated and directed statewide presentations, God With Us and God For Us, held in the Mississippi State Coliseum. Under his leadership, the MBCB sponsored such groups as the Mississippi All State Youth Choir, the Mississippi Baptist Symphony Orchestra and “One Voice,” an adult touring ensemble.

Graham Smith was a gifted soloist, dramatist and narrator with his rich, bass voice. He was used by God to inspire people, across the state and nation, to experience worship, through his dramatic presentations of such works as “God’s Trombones” and “The Books of the Bible,” taken from the musical work, God For Us.

Graham was honored by his beloved alma mater, Mississippi College, as the 1992 Distinguished Alumnus of the School of Music. He, along with his wife Alice, was also awarded the 2007 Mississippi College Order of the Golden Arrow for his outstanding support and loyalty to Mississippi College, for his personal contributions and for his Christian Commitment to community and church.

Rev. L. Graham Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Chalmers Smith and Hazel Graham Smith; his grandson, Charles Rayford Wilbanks III (Chase); and his sister, Gail Smith Peltzer.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 plus years, Alice Ann McCann Smith and their two children and their spouses: Alicia Claire Smith Wilbanks (Chip), and Louis Graham Smith, Jr. (June).

He was a loving and thoughtful “Papa” to six grandchildren and two grandsons-in-law: Allyce Wilbanks Majors (Adam); Annaclaire Wilbanks Tadlock (Rob); TaylorGrace Smith; Charles Rayford Wilbanks III (Chase); Abigail Louise Wilbanks; and Graham McCann Smith.

Pallbearers are: Mr. Ralph Alford, Mr. Lynwood Easterling, Honorable Edwin Pitman, Mr. Charles Stephens, Mr. Pete Tyer and Mr. Marc Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers are the Mississippi Singing Churchmen.