David G. Smith

On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Rev. David G. Smith, 70, of Albany, passed away peacefully and met his Savior face to face. A Celebration of Life service will be held in David’s honor at 10:00 am Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Sherwood Baptist Church with a private interment to follow.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David moved to LaGrange, Georgia, with his parents who were missionaries. He graduated from Bryan College with a bachelor’s degree and Georgia State University with a master’s degree. Known to many as a faithful, servant leader, David served four different churches in Georgia, spending 32 years of his career on staff at Sherwood Baptist Church. 

David wore many hats through his years of service at Sherwood. During the Smith’s first years at the church, David was the children’s ministry pastor and oversaw the technology department. An integral part in the early days of Sherwood Christian Academy, David was the first to teach chemistry and biology at the school before transitioning to a leadership role to serve as liaison between the church and SCA. Later in his career, David transitioned to an outreach role at Sherwood. He helped launch what is now known as the Albany Biblical Counseling Center. He also helped launch missionaries into the field, sending many teams around the world to meet physical and spiritual needs. Most recently, David was the Pastor of International Missions and the Executive Director of the Albany Biblical Counseling Center and the Alpha Pregnancy Center. Under his leadership, the Alpha Pregnancy Center grew from one location in Albany to five current locations around Southwest Georgia. David was passionate about reaching the world with the gospel and defending the unborn; he continued to make this his life’s mission until his Homegoing.

David genuinely loved people and desired to help others grow. His wife, Kathy, heard multiple times confirming that David had a gift of identifying ways people could serve the Lord that they did not recognize in themselves. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, David loved his family most of all, intentionally making them a priority in his life. David had a gentle spirit; he enjoyed bee keeping and playing chess.

David was preceded in death by his son, Brandon David Smith, his father Rev. George Smith, his father-in-law Joe Henry Livingston and his brother-in-law Joey Livingston.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Livingston Smith, Albany, GA; daughter, Lindsay Smith Fricks (William), Newnan, GA; son, Jonathan Smith (Ashleigh), Norman, OK; mother, Ida Jean Smith, Lebanon, TN; grandchildren, Will Fricks, Kathryn Fricks, David Fricks, Bennett Smith, Charlee Smith, Wyatt Smith; brother, Evan Smith (Meg), Camden, SC; sister, Susan Johnsey (Phil), Lebanon, TN; mother in law, Ethel Livingston, LaGrange, GA; brother-in-law, David Livingston, LaGrange, GA; sister-in-law, Ann Thompson (Wynn), Forsyth, GA; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Alpha Pregnancy Center or Albany Biblical Counseling Center, c/o Sherwood Baptist Church, 2201 Whispering Pines Road, Albany, GA 31707.