On Sunday, July 26, 2009, a beloved Soldier in God's Army was called home by the name of Metherine Smith, who was very much a loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was born one of eight children near Muskogee in the Sanders Chapel community on August 30, 1925 from the union of the late James Edward and Parthenia Spencer.

Metherine was raised in Muskogee County and attended the public schools. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She learned to play the piano at the age of five and that talent helped to express her love for the Lord. She was known for singing and playing the piano in church and singing her favorite song, "Don't let the devil ride."

In 1957, Metherine met and married Elder Robert M. Smith and from that union, she and her life-long partner committed their lives together in Ministry for the Lord for 34 years at Truevine Church of God in Christ in Tullahassee, Oklahoma.

Mother Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Robert M. Smith; her parents; a sister, Catherine Burton; three brothers, Lon D. Spencer, Jake Spencer, Sr., and Hoffman Spencer; and a daughter, Margaret [Knapper] Richardson.

Now the last page has turned here on earth and she leaves to cherish her memory; four sons, Odell Knapper and Otis Knapper, both of Muskogee, Oklahoma, James Edward Knapper, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Bobby Lee Smith, Philadelphia, Pensylvania; her daughter, Parthenia [Ronnie] Foster, Richmond, Virginia; 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Cephus Spencer, San Antonio, Texas, Otis Spencer and Leon Spencer, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota; along with a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The tribute will be on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. in the Faith Deliverance Christian Center, 401 Independence Avenue. Apostle Lathon Archie, the gracious host Pastor, Supt. R. E. Huff, Presiding and her Pastor, Elder John O. Martin, Goodwill Church of God in Christ, Eulogist.

The Christian Committal will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. You may visit Mother Smith, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, with the family present to receive friends from 6 to 7.