2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 84
BY SENATOR MILKOVICH
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Rev. Dr. Henry Dee Smith Jr.
WHEREAS, Smith, known widely as "H. D.", died peacefully surrounded by his
family on March 28, 2016, in Fairhope, Alabama, bringing to a close a nearly sixty-five year
commitment to serve the Lord and to preach the word of God; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was born to LouElla Arant and Henry Dee Smith in a
farmhouse on the banks of the Quiver River in Leflore County, Mississippi, on September
3, 1927; and
WHEREAS, at the age of sixteen, H. D. enrolled in the University of Mississippi and
he remained a Rebel fan his entire life; and
WHEREAS, however, after one year on campus, World War II interrupted H. D.'s
education and he enlisted in the United States Army in 1944 and served in Guam in the
Pacific Theater until 1945; and
WHEREAS, upon returning home from the war, H. D. met and married his life-long
sweetheart, Ella Ruth Gore on January 15, 1948, and they began a life of love and devotion
until Ella's death in 2011; and
WHEREAS, in 1953, H. D. was ordained by his home church in Schlater,
Mississippi, and he later enrolled in Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, where he
graduated with special distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion; and
WHEREAS, H. D. Smith Jr. continued his education and received both a Bachelor
of Divinity and a Doctor of Theology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
and he and Ruth embarked on his career of serving the Lord in his church; and
WHEREAS, H. D. and Ruth raised five children, two sons: Joseph and Timothy, and
three daughters: Rebecca, Rachel, and Deeana, with Joseph and Timothy both following
their father into the ministry; and
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WHEREAS, Smith and his wife were dedicated to their family and both enjoyed
family gatherings and spending time together with all their children, their spouses and
children and, eventually, their eighteen grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, H. D. and Ruth treasured their family and especially enjoyed sharing
family dinners, watching western movies and football before the fire; and
WHEREAS, H. D.'s career in the ministry took the family to numerous churches
including Doddsville, Blaine, Forest and Ellison Road Baptist churches in Mississippi;
Florida Avenue, Trinity, Barksdale, Gentilly, Lakeshore, Western Hills and Grace Baptist
churches in Louisiana; and First Baptist Satsuma in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, H. D. loved his Lord, preaching the gospel in his church settings, and
the twenty-six mission trips he and Ruth embarked upon to Korea, India, Jamaica, Brazil,
Mexico and Phillippines; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his preaching career, Smith brought countless souls
to a personal relationship with their Savior and the members of his churches in the deep
south would testify to his pastoring gifts and to his having brought a fresh mission awareness
to their fellowship; and
WHEREAS, throughout his ministry, Smith loved the people that God placed in his
care and he had a great passion for evangelism that did not fade as he got older and naturally
slowed down his preaching activities; and
WHEREAS, Smith died with his family around him and he left them to celebrate his
life and remarkable commitment to preaching the Gospel.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Rev. Dr. Henry Dee Smith Jr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Henry Dee Smith Jr.'s sons Rev. Timothy Smith and Rev. Joseph Smith.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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