[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING REVEREND JACQUELINE DELORISE SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2023

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
inspiring woman of God, a loving wife, dedicated, doting grandmother, 
pace setting trailblazer, and friend to humankind, Reverend Jacqueline 
Delorise Smith. A retirement reception attended by her family, many 
friends and well-wishers was held on February 18, 2023, at 3:00 pm in 
Columbus, Georgia.
  Reverend Smith's remarkable life began in Grady County, Georgia. She 
was educated in the Grady County School System at Washington 
Consolidated High School. She obtained her post-secondary education 
degrees in Sociology from both Thomas University and Bainbridge 
University.
  Her professional pursuits took her to be the lead Psychiatric 
Assistant at Southwestern State Hospital and a Social Worker at Georgia 
Pine for the State of Georgia, serving for a period of 31 years. A 
multi-talented individual, she also trained as a Practical Nurse and 
worked as a CPR Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Home 
Health Technician.
  Reverend's Smith's life was changed forever when she answered the 
call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of her commitment to 
the Gospel and to God's people she was ordained as a Deacon in 1990 and 
in 1992 was elected to be an Intinerant Elder. She presented her first 
trial sermon in September of 1987.
  Her pastoral care has taken her to many churches, often serving as 
the first female Pastor in these houses of God. She has served at the 
following churches during her powerful ministry to include Bryant 
Chapel in Reno, Georgia, Rock Hill in Beachton, Georgia, Saint John AME 
Church, Cedar Springs AME in Whigham, Georgia, she was the second 
female Pastor in Bainbridge, Georgia. This was followed by service at 
the St. Peter AME Church in Camilla, Georgia and the Bethel AME Church 
(Circuit) in Attapulgus, Georgia.
  In 2004, her historical accomplishments on behalf of the Kingdom 
continued when she was appointed the first female Presiding Elder in 
the South Georgia Conference by Bishop Frank C. Cummings. She continued 
to pastor churches while serving as the presiding Elder to include 
Mount Olive in Ocilla, Georgia, Bethel AME in Alaptha, Georgia, St. 
Pete AMAE in Valdosta, Georgia, St. Paul AME in Valdosta, Georgia, 
Peyton AME in Claytonville/Valdosta, Georgia, Francis Lake in Lake 
Park, Georgia Bethel AME in Fitzgerald, Georgia and ATOC AME in Dawson, 
Georgia.
  Her life is an example of how one person can make a difference when 
carrying out God's will for their lives. Presiding Elder Smith has 
served her God and she has served him well.
  Presiding Elder has accomplished much in her life but none of her 
successes would have been possible without the Love of God and support 
of her husband, Charles Dewey Smith who serves as an area consultant of 
the Southwest Georgia District, their three children and nine 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian, and I, along with the more than 765,000 
people of the Second Congressional District and my colleagues extend 
their congratulations to Presiding Elder in honor of her distinguished 
career in service to God and humankind. May the next phase of her life 
be filled with happiness and a continued servant's heart.

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