Margie Smith, 87, passed on April 20, 2024 in Waverly Hall, GA.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 am EST, Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Christ Community Church with Bishop Joseph Williams officiating. Interment to follow in Green Acres Cemetery. Public viewing is from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. EST, Friday, May 3, 2024.

Minister Margie (Teresa) Bailey Smith was born on August 20, 1936, to the late Mance L. Bailey, Sr., and the late Lucy B. Bailey in Uchee, AL. Minister Smith, a devoted servant of the Lord peacefully transitioned from this earthly life April 20, 2024, at Oakview Nursing Home, Waverly Hall, GA at the golden age of 87 years old.

She is a proud 1955 graduate of William Henry Spencer High School, in Columbus, GA, and attended Albany State University for a Nursing Degree. In 1987 she obtained her Nursing Certificate and began her career as a Nursing Assistant at Fountain City (Deerfield) Care and Rehabilitation Nursing Home. Soon after, she began her service as the church Secretary for New Providence Baptist Church of Columbus, GA, where she retired in September 2019 after faithfully serving for 28 years.

Minister Smith was united in Holy Matrimony June 1, 1963, to the late Senior Bishop Charles Leon Smith in Columbus, GA, and of this union one child was born and proceeded her in death, Charlyne (James) Michelle Alfred.

In early life, Minister Smith’s Christian journey began in childhood through Howard Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E) Church of Hatchechubbee, AL. Through the teachings and pastorage of Senior Bishop Smith and Church of God in Christ (COGIC), she became educated about the Pentecostal Church, and in May of 1962, she was saved through her faith in Jesus Christ.

As a 1st Lady, Minister Smith attributed her growth to a leader whom she considered a great woman of God, Mother Wildred Scott, who was most instrumental in educating and encouraging her in her duties and responsibilities as 1st Lady. Her tutelage and support as 1st Lady of Senior Bishop Smith before and during the establishment of the First Born Church Headquarters in Waycross, GA in 1979 was internationally widespread and remains an integral part of its enduring legacy. Through her unwavering devotion to the First Born Church, she was a vessel for God, from radiating God’s love through her occupations as a Clerk, Nursing Assistant, or Secretary, to her leadership and wisdom as a National Mother, Minister, Deaconess, and other various appointments over committees, notably the Annual Women’s’ Conference, at her final church home, Evangel Temple F.B.C of The Living God, Inc. of Columbus, GA.

Minister Smith was a woman of countless gifts. She had a relationship with music that stemmed from her youth into adulthood; from humble beginnings singing with siblings and playing the trombone in high school to her seizing any chance to sing praises to God. Her devotion and love for the Lord and church included her singing in the Senior Choir at Evangel Temple and most recently becoming an Honorary Member of Created to Worship Choir at Perfecting Love Ministries of Phenix City, AL.

Apart from her husband, daughter, and parents, she is preceded in death by five siblings: brothers—Ernest Bailey, Harvey Bailey, and Mance Bailey; sisters—Bernice Bailey and Lucy Bailey Verdell; stepdaughter—Delores J. Bailey; in-laws—Bernadine Bailey and Larry Carter.

She leaves two granddaughters to carry her legacy—Chandra Alfred of Ft. Mitchell, AL, and Jasmine Alfred-Savage (Dontae) of Ft. Cavazos, TX; bonus granddaughter—Eunice Shelton of Brunswick, GA; bonus grandson—Bruce Bailey of Suitland, MD; three great-grandchildren—Marquis Alfred, Jamiese Spivey and Dominic Savage.

She leaves cherished memories with her brother Ulysses Bailey (Carol) and sister, Oneida Bailey Carter of Columbus; her in-laws—Lennette Bailey of Montgomery, Al, Christine Bailey of Amityville, TX, and Nelson Verdell of Warner Robins, GA; her god-daughters Tasha Allen and Sheryl Lee of Columbus, GA, and Renee Brooks of Phenix City, AL.

Minister Smith appreciates the love and devotion from her cousins, Ismus Borom and Lula Fortson of Columbus, GA, and her church family; she is incredibly grateful to have shared her wonderful life with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and innumerous friends in Christ.

It was through God’s grace, that her family, community, and the world was blessed with her exemplary display of faith, works, and The Lord, Our Savior, Jesus Christ’s long-lasting reward.