Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Patrick Vernon Smith Th.B., J.P.

Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Patrick Vernon Smith Th.B., J.P. Age 61 Years of East Street South, 
preached his final sermon and directed his last choir, at the Princess Margaret Hospital 
on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

He was born at Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas on Wednesday, June 03, 1964 
to the union of the late Alva Edison Sr. and Alrena Louise Smith. He is the tenth of 
eleven children. He and his siblings were nurtured and loved in a Christian home 
where both parents were devoted followers of Christ.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
" 2nd Timothy Ch. 4 vs. 7

Introduction
The Psalmist, in Psalm 90 vs. 9 states, "We spend our years as a tale that is told…" 
Here then is the "tale" of the late Dr. Patrick Vernon Smith Th.B, J.P. 
Pastor Emeritus (Rev. Patrick).

The strong and resounding message that flowed from this multi-talented and naturally gifted 
individual in the person of Rev. Patrick was that he was a gift from God, a pioneer and a 
trail blazer, especially in the realm of contemporary Gospel Christian Music. Rev. Patrick 
was a gifted musician, an outstanding organist/keyboardist, a demanding and skillful musical 
conductor. As a pastor/preacher/teacher he was well prepared and dynamic in his presentations.  
He was a great lover and promoter of contemporary Gospel Music but he was equally passionate 
in celebrating the great hymns of the Church.  Rev. Patrick was not limited by denominational 
boundaries but drew the best from each of them for his own spiritual enrichment and inspiration.  
Eph. Ch. 4 vs. 11 states "And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, 
and some pastors and teachers…." However, Rev. Patrick was fully endowed with all of these 
qualities and more.  What is truly remarkable about this exemplary man of God and about 
musical genius that touched the lives of many both locally and internationally was that if you 
were to review his educational background, you will not find any evidence of formal musical training. 
His was truly a gift or an anointing from God.

EDUCATION
His primary educational journey began at Ridgeland Primary School and ended at the Oakes Field 
Primary School. His high school education took place at the Jordan Prince William High School 
where he served as Deputy Head Boy and graduated in 1980. Rev. Patrick was a precocious student, 
a quick learner and at the tender age of 18 years, he left home and enrolled at the American 
Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 
Theology and Christian Education in 1983.

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE 
Rev. Patrick was a fixture in Bethel Baptist Church from his early childhood. He played the organ for 
Church Services, Youth Choirs and other auxiliary meetings and whenever a hymn was raised acapella, 
Rev. Patrick had the musical dexterity to find the appropriate key and to play the tune, all without 
sheet music.  In addition, he served during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. H. W. Brown on the Usher Board, 
was instrumental in Sunday School and BTU, and was both a performer and conductor of the 
Spiritual Bells, a quartet comprised of Rev. Patrick, Adrian, Derek and Desmond Sands. His personal 
spiritual journey began at the early age of 13, when he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal 
Saviour in 1977. Again, at the youthful age of 16, in 1980, he accepted the "Call to Ministry". He received 
his "Certificate of Licence to preach the Gospel" on January 14th 1983.  His rise to these elevated positions 
at such a young age was driven by a passion and a vision to spread the Gospel both in song and spoken word. 
Even during these early years, he was a dynamic, energetic, and persuasive preacher and brought many a 
young person to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  His early experience in Bethel culminated in his 
Ordination to the Gospel Ministry in 1986 during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Timothy Stewart.

PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
Rev. Patrick has had a diverse and rewarding pastoral experience over a span of some 40 years.  In 1983 
after graduating from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, he was appointed to the position of 
Special Assistant to the Pastor, of the Sylvan Street Baptist Church, Nashville Tennessee, where 
he served until 1986.  In 1987 he was elected as the Pastor of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist 
Church in Mount Jubilee, Tennessee and continued in that service for 3 years until 1990. Shortly 
thereafter, Rev. Patrick returned to Nassau and for a brief period he served as an Associate Minister 
and Youth Pastor at the Historic Bethel Baptist Church. Never resting on his laurels, he very quickly 
moved to organize Tabernacle Baptist Centre which subsequently became Tabernacle Full Gospel 
Ministries (Tabernacle) and was the pastor from 1992 to 1999.  What was notable about this move 
was that the Church initially operated from the old premises of "The Banana Boat" in Oakes Field 
bearing testimony to the transformative power of God.  In November 1999 Tabernacle merged with 
Evangelic Assembly where his uncle Bishop Duke S. Smith was the Pastor. In October 2002 Rev. Patrick 
was appointed and installed as Pastor of Evangelic Assembly and he remained as the Pastor until his 
retirement on 1st June 2025.  At the Official Retirement Service on 1st June 2025, Rev. Patrick was 
installed as Pastor Emeritus of the Church at the same time.  The Retirement and Installation Service 
was under the auspices of The Church of God in Christ led by Bishop Tony Leroy Hanna, Jurisdictional 
Bishop of the Churches of God in Christ in The Bahamas.  Evangelic Assembly became a member Church 
of the Churches of God in Christ in 2015.

Of special note during his pastoral journey is that while serving as Pastor of Evangelic Assembly he took 
on the dual responsibility of shepherding the congregation of The People's Restoration Baptist Church 
Palmetto Point Eleuthera, through its initial launch.  He guided the Church by serving in the following pivotal roles:

1.         As Interim Pastor- July 2004 to March 2005
2.         As Pastor April -2005 to November 2008
3.         As Moderator - December 2008 to 2015 to assist the new Pastor, Rev. Dr. Philip M. Bethel
            and the membership.

Rev. Patrick served the wider Baptist community in The Bahamas in several key leadership roles, 
including Executive Secretary of The Bahamas Baptist Convention and Moderator of the well-known 
Baptist Hour, where his familiar voice and strong, commanding presence made a lasting impact.

It is truly remarkable that for over four decades—beginning in 1983 through to 2025—Rev. Dr. Patrick 
Vernon Smith faithfully served in both pastoral and pastoral advisory roles. His unwavering commitment 
stands as a testimony to his energetic, visionary, and dynamic leadership.

THE FATHER
Rev. Patrick Vernon Smith was blessed with one daughter, Corain Alean Smith (now Cash), from his union 
in the late 1980s. Though the marriage later ended, he remained present for life's most meaningful moments. 
In time, he welcomed a son-in-law, Ronnie Cash, into the family and took great pride in his role as a grandfather. 
Affectionately known as "Grandpa," he shared a special bond with his three grandchildren, Lyric, Benjamin, 
and Isabella, who brought him immeasurable joy. His legacy of love, strength, and spiritual foundation lives 
on through them, a reflection of the deep roots he planted in the lives of those he held dear.

REV. PATRICK –MUSICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE 
Pastor Patrick Smith was a lifelong musical visionary, serving as a maestro, choir organizer, and director 
throughout his ministry. His journey began at Bethel Baptist Church, where his passion for gospel music 
first took root. Over the years, he directed and collaborated with numerous choirs across New Providence 
and the Family Islands, leaving a lasting imprint on the Bahamian gospel music scene. His extraordinary 
talent opened doors to national platforms and influential audiences, and he held several key leadership 
roles that helped shape and elevate gospel music both locally and internationally. These included:

Minister of Music: Bahamas Jurisdiction of Church of god in Christ in the Bahamas;
Executive Secretary: Bahamas National Baptist, Missionary and Education convention;
President: Bahamas Full gospel Choir (Local Chapter);
President: Bahamas Gospel Workshop of America (Local and International Chapters);
Director: Church Exchange between the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands;
Director: Choir Exchanges between the Bahamas and Full Gospel Churches;
Director: Church Exchange between New Providence and the Family Islands;
Director: Bahamas Mass Youth Choir Exchanges;
Director: Bahamas Baptist Convention Choir;
Director: Bahamas National Choir Workshop and Productions;
Director: Jordan/Prince Wiliam High School Choir;
Director: Charles W. Saunders School Choir;
Co-Ordinator and Organizer: Bahamas Excellence Award;

His passion for worship through music left an indelible mark on countless lives, inspiring generations 
of singers, musicians, and worshippers across the nation.

WHEN I CROSS THE VERGE OF JORDAN
In the final years of his life, Rev. Patrick Vernon Smith faced a series of health challenges with courage 
and quiet strength. He first battled—and overcame—cancer, a testimony to his resilience and faith. 
In more recent years, he endured a series of strokes that gradually affected his health, yet he remained 
steadfast in spirit. His final battle came to a peaceful close on June 17, 2025, just weeks after celebrating 
his 61st birthday on June 3 and being honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus. Though his body grew weary, 
his legacy remains strong, and his faith unwavering until the very end.

Patrick is preceded in death by his:
Father: Alva Edison Smith Sr.;
Mother: Alrena Louise Dean-Smith;
Grandfathers: George Trevor Smith and William Frederick Athelson Dean;
Grandmothers: Alean Rowena Culmer-Smith and Ada Winder-Dean;
Nephew: Kenneth Smith Jr.;
Godfather: Rev. Bertram Gaston Armbrister; 

The Radiance of this "Pearl of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
One Daughter: Corain Smith-Cash (Bertram "Ronnie"); 
One Grandson: Benjamin Cash; 
Two Granddaughters: Lyric and Isabella Cash;
One Adopted Son: Demetrius Smith; 
Five Brothers: Alva "Eddie" Jr. (Bridgette), Kenneth Sr., Perry, Marvin and Adrian Smith; 
Two Adopted Brothers: Desmond and Derek Sands; 
Four Sisters: Eshell Cooper, Bernadette Smith, Marsha Wilburn and Patrice Bethel (Ira); 
Nephews: Kym, Sheldon, Kyle, Kadeem, Kyefer and Trevor Smith, Gregory and Jaime Collie, 
Dexter Cooper, Junior Smith (In-Law), Eric Willis (In-Law), Gavin Cartwright (In-Law), 
Melvin Colbert (In-Law);
Adopted Nephews: Marco and Marvin Strachan;
Nieces: Jayde Knowles, Ryan Collie, Tiffany Collie-Carreno, Kirizza, Ashley, Gia, Ganae, 
Katrice, Victoria, Tia, Golda, Tamar, Candace and Sheria Smith, Keaneirha Smith-Cartwright, 
Miranda Henderson, Melissa, Rantez and Christie Cooper, Karena Smith Willis, Teraka Colbert, 
Deilyah Collie (In-Law), Missy Cooper (In-Law), Frinaye and Tanja Smith (In-Laws);
Three Aunts: Shirley Burrows, Beverly and Margueritte Dean;
Grandnephews: Jemini, Greyson and Matteo Collie, Kamryn Johnson, Melvin and Desmond Colbert, 
Aidan, Elijah and Zander Willis, Kyrie, Kaydence and Malachi Smith, Isaiah and Riley Ford, Tre' Hanna, 
Dominic and Taij Barrett and Chase Davis;
Grandnieces: Kyanna, Kaiyah, Kaley, Kimora, Kaide, Michaela and Andrea Smith, Anai Ingraham, 
Kaylei Collie, Adriana Carreno, Tayonna Colbert, Valda Ford and Demi Moss;
Cousins Including: Frank "Dwayne" Williams, Monique McQuay (Colin), Valerie Richards, Dion and 
Dena Feaste, Enid, Audrey, Valerie, Deidre, Camille, Tracey and Deidre Dean, Kevin, Kenny, Kirk, Godfrey, 
Deborah and Allison Basden, LaVerne Deleveaux, Linda Mackey, Lisa Bastian, Stephen, Laurell, Faye and 
Felice Burrows, Lashan Coakley, Margo, Valdia and Lorraine Ferguson, Ameace Nonome, Torkel, Leslie, 
Wendell, Keith, Valentina, Lorne, Michael, Gary, Michael, Anthony, Valentino, Kevin, Shenica, Ira Jr., 
Tara, Darren, Paulette and Gregory Smith, Marie Rahming, Gloria Gantaume, Verna Larry, Marcia McMoreis, 
Geoffrey Major, Maxine Stubbs, Ann Bassett, Marva Brown, Chelsea Kemp, Cecile Kowohl, Rochelle Ingraham, 
Marie Antoinette Cartwright, Carl "Hal" II and Carla "Heidi" Glinton, Gary and Michael Storr, Cassandra Bowles, 
Gertrude Symonette, Deborah Colby, Nicole Armstrong, Bridgette and Sharon Hanna, Charmaine Edgecombe, 
Michelle Malcolm and Christa Grant.
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Judimae Lewis, Juanita Davis, Gina, Karen and Sheila Smith, 
Leader Elect Elder Stephen Sands, Cynthia Bastian, Paulette Belle and the Evangelic Assembly family, 
Bishop Tony L. Hanna and the Church of God in Christ family, Moderator Ishamel Lightbourne and the 
Bethel Baptist Church family, Pastor Sherelle Saunders and the Faith Mission Church of God family, 
Rev. Patrick and LaVette McFall, Bishop Earl Randy Frazer, Rev. Christopher Roberts, Pastor Phillip Bethel 
and the People's Restoration Baptist Church family, Fr. Whitfield Hutchenson, Rev Melvin Grant, 
Dona Wilson- Haley, Enid Armbrister, Kevin "KK" Knowles and their families.