Presiding Elder Virginia Smith

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 1Timothy 4:7

General Elder Virginia Smith was born November 12, 1946, in Hemingway SC to the late Mr. George Williams, Sr. and Deaconess Irene Rollen Williams. She departed this earthly life on March 18, 2024, after a long illness at The Cambridge Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility in Smyrna, GA.

She received her early education in Williamsburg County.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Bro. Ronald G. Johnson, Sr. on December 16, 1965, who preceded her in death. To this union they were blessed with six children. Later in life, on October 21, 2002, she was united in holy matrimony to General Elder Clarence Smith who preceded her in death as well.

General Elder Smith was a lifetime member of The House of God. She received the Holy Ghost in 1971. When General Elder Smith relocated from South Carolina, her mother wanted her to find a House of God Church. She got in touch with Bishop Kelly W. Allen who was the pastor at that time. After Bishop Allen visited with her, General Elder Smith became a member of the House of God Division Street, New  Haven, CT. She served under Bishop Allen until 1975 and under the late General   Elder Melvin Alston & General Elder Hilda Alston from 1975 until 1980. General  Elder Smith was appointed to pastor for the House of God Church in Fair Haven, CT from 1982 until 1988. When she moved back to Hemingway, SC, she became a member of the House of God Church Hemingway, SC under the leadership of the late Elder Ruby Green. Later, she was appointed as an assistant pastor of the House of God Hemingway and the House of God Zion. During this time, she served as the local President of the YFFU Department, Senior Sunday Bible School Teacher and served faithfully in other auxiliaries. In October of 1993 she was appointed assistant pastor of the House of God Pamplico under the leadership of the late Elder Elijah Green. During this time, she served as the local President of the YFFU Department, teacher of the local Evangelist Team, teacher of the Missionary Department, State President of the Ministers and Deacons Council. She was appointed pastor of the House of God Centenary on May 30, 1999, by the late Bishop Henry Dillard. Twenty-five members joined the church under her leadership. She also organized the sister and brotherhood clubs. In 2001, she was appointed pastor of the House    of God Kingstree, SC. Nine months later she moved to Pensacola, Florida. She presided over three churches in the state of Alabama and two churches in the state of  Florida. Also served with General Elder McDougal, Bishop Campbell and Bishop Lott. After the death of her Husband the General Elder Clarence Smith, she moved back to SC under the leadership of the late Bishop Dillard. She continued to be a dedicated and faithful worker in the church until her health declined. General Elder Smith fought a good fight. She kept the faith, she put God first in everything she did, just to hear one day the Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

She was preceded in death by husbands Bro. Ronald G. Johnson, Sr. and General   Elder Clarence Smith, son Clyde Williams, two sisters Deaconess Geraldine Moody and Deaconess Nell Cooper, two brothers George Williams, Jr. and Charles E. Williams.

With everlasting memories, she leaves five children, Sabrinia Williams of Columbia, SC, Ronald (Cassandra) Johnson of Buford, GA, Eunice Jones of Mableton, GA,  Irene (Russell) Myers of Florence, SC, Andrea (Miesha) McClain of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Jo Ann (Ralph) Woodbury of Hemingway, SC; five brothers Willie J (Jean) Williams of Hamden, CT, Odell (Mary) Williams, J.D. Williams, Harry L. Williams all of  Hemingway, SC, and Jimmy L Williams of New Haven, CT; a sister-in-law, Carol Williams of Hemingway, SC; twenty-eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; along with a hosts of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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