Freddie "Duck" Smith

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye………” I Corinthians 15:51-52 God hath made everything beautiful in His time and on December 18, 1955, He brought forth one of His most beautiful and valuable creations. Freddie Smith the 7th of 16 children, was born to Rev. Samuel Smith and Marie Butler Smith in the Smithton community. Better known to family and friends as “Duck”, he grew up in the Smithton community surrounded by the love of his sisters and brothers. Freddie accepted Christ at a tender age and united with the Baring Cross COGIC family in Smithton, Arkansas under the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Smith. He attended Gurdon High School where he excelled on the basketball team. He graduated in 1974, and later moved to Dallas, Texas where he attended and graduated from Southern Methodist University. After graduation he moved back to Gurdon and was employed by Union Pacific Railroad. Freddie proudly served his country in the U. S. Army where he was a sniper, paratrooper and obtained the rank SGT. After his service in the Army he moved to Lansing, Michigan where he worked for General Motors and joined in fellowship with the New St. Paul COGIC family. Freddie was a lover of sports, the blues, good food and had a passion for drag racing. After his health begin to fail he opened a boarding house and opened his heart to those who were in need. Family, as well as friends, will miss his smile and love, but will never forget his giving spirit and compassion. He lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when Duck was around. He was blessed beyond measure by the creator and those whose life he touched received a portion of that blessing. During his 52nd season, Freddie surrendered his soul to Christ on June 19, 2008, at his home in Lansing, Michigan, surrounded by his family and friends. Freddie was welcomed to his eternal home by: his parents, his brothers Leonard Osborne, Samuel Smith, Jr., Larry Smith, Edward Smith; and sister Gloria Jean Dillard. Freddie Smith was the devoted companion of Mary Mitchell of Lansing, Michigan; the father of four children, Freddie Smith, Jr., of Arlington, VA, Jamal Mitchell of Lansing, MI, Sherika Smith of Lansing, MI, and Montrel Smith of Lansing, MI; the brother of four sisters, Francis J. Smith of Chicago, IL, Linda & her husband Nathaniel Giles of Gurdon, AR, Barbara & her husband Gus Giles of Lansing, MI, Joann Jessie of Dallas, TX, and Shanta & her husband Ralph Bailey of Gurdon, AR; six brothers, Eugene Osborne of Lansing, MI, Billy & his wife Nora Smith of Lansing, MI, Franklin Smith of Gurdon, AR, Benjamin & his wife Karen Smith of St. Louis, MO, Johnnie & his wife Sally Smith of Gurdon, AR, and Charles & his wife Alicia Smith of Gurdon, AR; the grandfather of six beautiful grandchildren; the nephew of four aunts, Hazel J. White of Peoria, IL, Martha Dixon of Arkadelphia, AR, Ruth Hawthorne of Arkadelphia, AR, and Josephine Brim of Dallas, TX; four uncles, Silas Smith of Sacramento, CA, Jacob Smith of Detroit, MI, Aaron Smith of Dallas, TX and Moses Smith of Arkadelphia, AR. Those also left to cherish his smile, love and laughter are a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and New St. Paul COGIC family. Freddie will lie in state at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The last farewell will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Baring Cross C.O.G.I.C. in the Smithton community where Elder Eddie Bailey is the pastor. Rev. James H. Giles, Sr., a childhood friend and pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, will preach a message of comfort and hope. The committal service and final resting place will be at Rose Hedge Cemetery. The active bearers will be Oddis Duncan, T.S. Ollison, Lee Quarles, Nate Giles, Jr. The honorary bearers of the casket will be his sons, brothers and uncles.