Mark M Smith

Mark Merton Smith, born on October 30, 1932, was the third of seven children born to the late Elder Adolphus and Augusta Dorthelius Banks Smith. At the age of 4, Mark moved with his family from Cambridge Ohio to Canton where Elder Smith accepted the Pastorate of Christ Temple Church, now known as the Greater Bethel Apostolic Church. Elder Smith pastored for a number of years before his death. Mark held many odd jobs from a young age, graduated from McKinley High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge. He eventually became a Canton City Policeman, one of the first African Americans to serve on the force. While serving on the force he received numerous awards for demonstrating bravery, one such occasion being the time that he single-handedly foiled the attempts of a man who had entered the police headquarters brandishing a gun. Mark left the police force, accepting a position with the Ohio Liquor Enforcement Office. He traveled around the state, enforcing state laws and shutting down illegal liquor operations. He became known around the state as being someone you did not want to go against. He faced danger many times, but God was not through with him. Mark retired from the State of Ohio in 1980 after the death of a close friend and co-worker, and immediately gave his life to the Lord, becoming a student of the Word, a prolific teacher and preacher, following in the footsteps of his father and older brother Arthur. He started a youth Bible Study at Apostolic Faith Assembly which led to a radio broadcast. Elder Mark Smith founded Jesus Speaks Christian Center in 1988 in Massillon, Ohio, eventually moving the church to Canton. He became Overseer Mark Smith while serving with the Pentecostal Churches of Christ Organization under the leadership of Founder and Presiding Bishop Delano J. Ellis of Cleveland Ohio. In May of 2001, Mark married Betty MCDaniel, a licensed social worker from Chicago, Illinois. She agreed to move to Canton, presumably to retire, and the rest is history. She became the First Lady and organist at Jesus Speaks Christian Center, while also supporting the work of the ministry through intercessory prayer. Mark supported her calling to work in the community with underserved youth as she founded and directed MultiDevelopment Services of Stark County and EnRichMent for the Arts. Their love for God and people propelled them even further, making them a strong force in the community. Mark loved his family and paid frequent visits to all of his siblings. He was affectionately called Unca by his nieces and nephews having given himself the name based on their pronunciation of Uncle when they were children. Mark and his first wife, the late Myrna Smith, had one son, Mark Smith II, who he affectionately referred to as “My Boy”. Mark was very proud of his son. His eyes would brighten and his smile widen anytime he spoke about him. Along with his son, Mark made sure to take his nephews under his wing, spending time with them and teaching them how to navigate their way through life. Mark loved cars, fine clothes, and good food. He and Betty loved to travel, and you could always count on him to point you in the right direction when looking for a new place to dine. Mark and Betty believed in being healthy, walking and exercising daily. His second pulpit was the Powerhouse Gym, where he witnessed to many about God and His plan of salvation. He retired from pastoring in 2018, turning over the reigns of Jesus Speaks to nephew Pastor Gregory Reaves who he mentored and trained in the Word of God. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Elder Adolphus Elliott Smith; his mother Augusta Dorthelius Banks Smith; his brother Arthur Douglas Smith; and his sisters JoAnne Smith, Viola Reaves, and Carmella McNair. He is survived by his loving wife Betty M. Smith, his favored son Mark Smith II, granddaughters Kia and Shayla, great granddaughter Aubrey, brother Calvin Smith (Canton), sister Frances Bendter (Cleveland), and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Although Overseer Smith retired from pastoring, he never retired from teaching, preaching and serving the Lord. Even as his body began to fail from the effects of illness he remained steadfast, never missing an opportunity to tell someone about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He never ceased in his calling to share God’s Word with the world. Rest in Heavenly Peace till we meet again.