Chauncey Charles Everest Smith November 5, 1910-June 12, 1997 This obituary was delivered at the funeral of Bishop Chauncey Smith on Tuesday.

The passing of Bishop Chauncey Charles Everest Smith closes one chapter in the history of Tucker's Town, for he and his parents, Walcher and Irene Smith were a part of that great Tucker's Town family that was relocated to the Devil's Hole, Knapton Hill area. He was predeceased by Zoila, Heber, Reginald, Uriel and Rosalie. His youngest sister, Nina Dill and his sister-in-law, Evangelist Ivy Smith, both passed within a week of each other just last month. He attended Talbot School, Jean Jacques Night School and the Bermuda Domestic Centre.

Bishop Smith would often recount to his boys, stories of his youthful days growing up in Tucker's Town with the fishing and the farming and the horse-drawn taxi service that his Uncle the Mayor of Tucker's Town owned along with seventy acres of prime farm land. Living off the land in those days produced healthy and robust children. With their father's nickname, "Hell Fire Jack,'' it was no small wonder for the three boys to assume the three nicknames of Abednigo, Shadrach and Mechach. The notorious reputation preceded the sons of "Hell Fire Jack,'' from what we are told, for in those days the mere mention of "The Tree'' would send grown men scuttling for cover; for if you messed with one you messed with all. On one occasion, someone troubled Rosalie and Chauncey went looking for the boy with his gun. Fortunately for him, he refused to come out, but Chauncey fired a warning shot just for good measure.

His mother Irene saw to it that everybody went to church and Sunday School, primarily the Methodist Church and St. Phillip's Church in Tuckers Town, of course -- the one that they raised on the hill there at the junction of Paynters and South Road. He also recounted the times that he used to hide in the trees listening to the open air services that the "Holy Rollers'' use to conduct on the green in Devil's Hole.

Chauncey was said to have been so bad that one young sister, the late Evangelist Ellen Stowe, didn't think that God could save him. However, the seed had been planted and on the night of January 31, 1932, Chauncey put down the "Gun of the Flesh'' and took up "the Sword of The Spirit''.

At Evangel Tabernacle, in Flatts, under Elder Thomas N. Trott, he attended the Church Bible Class and Correspondence Courses from Moody Bible Institute, under teacher Marjorie Trott.

At the age of 15 (1925), Chauncey Smith began his apprenticeship as a carpenter. It took him about five years to become a skilled carpenter and earn a carpenter's wage. Tables, solid doors, screen doors and windows are just some of the things he created. He was also able to utilise his talents by building approximately thirty pews in Faith Tabernacle. He also did blacksmith's work and masonry due to the shortage of men in those fields.

He served in his local church as chairman of the Deacon Board, a member of the Trustee Board, Bible Church School Teacher and Superintendent. In 1972 he was appointed Pastor of Faith Mission, now Faith Tabernacle. During his term as pastor there, he taught his congregation the true spirit of giving. Bishop always shared his vision of one day purchasing the property at Watford Island where Faith Tabernacle stands and building a Cathedral. This disciple established the motto and always encouraged his followers that they were "God's Special Object of interest''.

After 20 years of pastoring at Faith Tabernacle, Bishop Smith retired, passing the reins to his successor and cousin, Elder Andrew Landy. He was serving as Pastor Emeritus and Father to us all until his Graduation to Glory.

Bishop Smith served as District Elder, District Bible Church School Superintendent and on the board of Presbytery. He was ordained Elder by Bishop W.N. Strobbar in 1971 and in 1986 was consecrated Bishop along with Elder Russell Furbert. He was always very faithful in attending General meeting, serving on various committees, and most notably on the General Nomination Committee for the 1984 General Election.

Bishop Smith has traveled extensively working for the Lord including Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados and St. Kitts. He not only preached in his travels, but was always willing to lend his hands for physical work. In 1983 and 1984 Bishop Smith was privileged to travel to Zuo Mission, Monrovia and West Africa with other United Holy Church Missionaries where they built a school. His dream of returning to the Mission was somewhat thwarted by the civil war, which resulted in the building being destroyed by fire and taking the lives of some of his African coworkers. The insects were not as kind to him as the people. Upon his return from one of his trips, he was so ill from the bites that he had to take a sabbatical in Philadelphia where he was nursed back to health by his long time friend in the gospel, Bishop Stanley Scott.

Bishop Smith met the woman of his dreams, Louise Julia Woolridge, in church on Sunday. This was the location of their courtship; which was the acceptable norm in those days. Occasionally, he visited her in her home. A union was formed which lovingly bloomed for 54 years to June 3, 1997. We were blessed to have the Lord raise up Bishop one last time to celebrate their anniversary at The Agape House with his family.

Asked of their father, his sons said growing up with him was fun. They would go fishing, play cricket, and making visits to the various churches were extra special because they got to go to The Paraquet for various treats. He taught them an appreciation for golf by building a mini course in the yard. He was a father to his sons and their wives. With his compassionate and humorous manner, you could never see him as a father-in-law. He was Poppa, Daddy or Pa to his grands. Bishop Smith is survived by his loving wife Louise, and his legacy of ministry will surely be perpetuated by his six sons, George, Gregg, Gershywn, Glenfield, Grant, and Gladwyn (Dean); their wives Sylvia, Sophie, Erical, Gwen and Jonelle; his sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren; all of whom are in the ministry or have the potential for contributing to the ministry in some form or another. Also surviving Bishop are two sisters-in-law, Irene DeRosa and Constance (Pasty) Wilson; four brothers-in-law Fred, Alison, Harold and the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, special workmate Ronald Trott and many, many friends and fellow labourers in the gospel.

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