Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

Billy Kenneth Smith

Dr. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist church from 1965 to 1970 during the celebration of the one hundred twenty- fifth anniversary of the church.

He was born in Spearsville, Louisiana in 1928 and was ordained to preach by the First Baptist Church of Houma, Louisiana. He and his wife have four children: Ken, David, Joyce and Philip. Dr. Smith graduated Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and science and worked as a teacher and coach for four years at Quitman before surrendering to full time ministerial service. At that time he went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and received his Th.D. Dr. Smith was pastor of Charpentier Baptist Chapel in Montegut, Louisiana, Society Hill Baptist Church of Oakvale, Mississippi and Monte Sano Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. He gratefully acknowledged the moral and financial support of one of Louisiana's most dedicated Baptist lay members, Lallage Feazel Wall of West Monroe. While a public school teacher, Dr. Smith began to feel a very strong call to full time ministry. He knew he needed to further his education but could not see how he would continue to support his young and growing family while attending seminary. He prayed for guidance and eventually his dilemma came to the attention of a fellow Sunday School teacher, Lallage Feazel Wall. She sought him out and offered to subsidize his education as long as needed. As Dr. Smith said, her financial help was invaluable, but her prayerful support was indispensable. Many people have benefited from her generosity over the years, not only Dr. Smith but also those privileged to hear Dr. Smith preach and teach. Mrs. Wall also was responsible for major contributions to the Louisiana Children's Home and quietly took care of other financial needs of her church and community when needed.

He is a prolific writer and has produced many articles for Baptist publications, including the Illustrator. Dr. Smith is presently professor of Old Testament at New Orleans Theological Seminary. 43

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish | AHGP

Source: Author's Notice: I hereby give permission for the free dissemination of any and all material included within the book and permit any non profit use of that material. Should any agency wish to use the material in a profit context, permission must be secured from the church body of First Baptist Church, Homer, LA 71040.  By Barbara Smith, Homer, Louisiana.