Rev. Cecil Smith

Rev. Willie Cecil Smith, "Smitty" 93, of Akron, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 10, 2017. He was born on August 29, 1923 in Morganton, GA to the late Emlis Bartow and Mairiam Manie Smith. He served in the US Navy WWII and Korean Conflict. Smitty retired from BF Goodrich Chemical Plant in 1985 after 38 years of service. He also served as the Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church for 48 years. Smitty had a servant's heart and all who knew him, loved him. He knew no strangers, our lives have been blessed because of him.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mairiam Louise Burns; granddaughter, DeNise Louise Russell; brother, Adam Glen Smith; and son in-law, Ernie Coffy. Smitty leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Barbara Coffy; sister, Helen Taylor of Morganton; granddaughters, Cindy and Mark Helsel of Cuyahoga Falls, Stacy and Randy Brentlinger of Rootstown, and DeLynn and Lester Yerkey of Lakeland, Fl.; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great granddaughters; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Widows Mights of Grace Baptist Church.

Family will receive friends on Friday June 16, 2017 from 10-12pm with the funeral service immediately following at Grace Baptist Church 704 N. Firestone Blvd. Akron, OH 44306. Pastors Bob Stephens and Phil Hulgin officiating. Interment Hillside Memorial Park.