Rev. Earl Lee Smith, 81, of West Milton and formerly of Big Pond, PA was called home to his Savior on Sunday evening, March 26, 2017.



Born July 23, 1935 in Big Pond, he was the son of the late Bert and Edna (Lee) Smith.Earl was a 1953 graduate of Troy High School.On August 11, 1956, he married the former Bonnie Lamb in High Point, NC.

Rev. Smith held a Bachelors of Religious Education from God's Bible College in Cincinnati, OH, a Bachelors of Arts from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY and his Masters of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC.He has served church appointments at Elmira, Spring Lake and Conquest in New York State and in Daggett, Jackson Center, Roseville, Quincy, Lock Haven, Middleburg and Sunbury in Pennsylvania as well as in Chaplin and Green's Chapel in Kentucky.He authored three family genealogy books; The Lee Tree , Tribute to Bert and Edna Smith and Keeping Up with The Smiths; ​wrote a history of Big Pond, PA andalso did numerous articles in the books, The History of Bradford County, PA and Randolph County, North Carolina History .

Rev. Smith served on the Central Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference Archives and History Commission and has also taught United Methodist History at a number of conference workshops

and seminars.He was chairman of the Bicentennial of American Methodism for the conference in 1981.Rev. Smith and his wife Bonnie were delegates to the World Methodist Conference held in 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii.In earlier years, he enjoyed interests in history, genealogy andantique cars.

Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Bonnie, three children; David A. Smith, Randall J. (Terren) Smith and Sandra J. Smith all of Big Pond, eight grandchildren; Angela, Abbie, Alexander, Casey, Remington, Arizona, Levi and Scott, three step grandchildren; Jay, Joshua and Jacquelyn, two great grandchildren; Lillith and Reese, also a cousin, Ted Lee of Big Pond.

Visitation will be 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Big Pond United Methodist Church.Rev. Dale Hippensteel and Pastor Josh Davinsizer and will officiate the funeral service at 1 p.m.Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery.Pepper Funeral Home in Canton, PA is assisting his family with arrangements.

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