Bishop Grover Smith

       Bishop Grover Smith, the third of five children, was born October15, 1941 to Grover Sr. and Bishop Grover Smith, the third of five children, was born October15, 1941 to Grover Sr. and Mahala Fanning Smith. Grover Smith spent his early years in Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended the Seventeenth Street A.O.H. Church of God, under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop Jasper Roby. It was under his leadership and teachings that Grover Smith was saved, baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost wevidence oith the f speaking in tongues at the age of 15. Grover was active in the ministry and enjoyed singing. He was known within the A.O.H. Church of God as the “James Cleveland of A.O.H.”. He was an original member of the profound group, The Malindettes. During the early 60s and 70s, Grover was not only working in church, but in his community. He was actively involved with the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, Alabama. He protested alongside many others to
stop injustice to African Americans. One of his achievements was participating in the bus boycott, where he refused to ride in the back of the bus.
       Committed to finding success and supporting his family, Grover moved to Tennessee where he worked for Athens Home Décor as a supervisor of the assembly line and production. Because of his dedication to his job and team, he received his supervisory training from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, while continuing to receive promotions and manage a mixed racial makeup of employees from 1973-1978.
       In 1971, a young Grover Smith acknowledged his call to the ministry. In 1978, he was ordained and appointed Pastor under the late Overseer G. Hardaway. It was during this time, Grover and his late wife, Gatha Hardaway Smith, began pastoring at Roby Chapel, which later was renamed Pratt City A.O.H. Church of God (now Hibernian Street A.O.H. Church of God). After pastoring at this location, he accepted his new assignment in 1980 to pastor and lead God’s people at the Leeds A.O.H. Church of God. At that time, Pastor Smith continued to ascend to new heights of impact and influence in the years to follow. He would pastor the Leeds A.O.H. Church of God for 44 years.
       During his tenure as pastor, God saw fit During his tenure as pastor, God saw fit that he should not live alone. Grover made his move and asked Deborah Nelson into courtship   In 1997, they united in holy matrimony and the two became one. To their union, they were blessed to blend their family of four children: three daughters and one son. While serving in ministry together, they both took great pride in caring for their family. God blessed Bishop and Mother Smith to enjoy a true love story like no other for twenty-seven years!  Their union would become a model marriage for generations.  Their love for God, each other, and for people made them a magnet for God's favor and blessings.

          After being appointed and serving as Assistant Overseer for many years, in 2000 he was ordained as an Overseer under the late Presiding Bishop Jasper Roby. Then in 2001, with much prayer and guidance from God, Overseer Grover Smith obtained his TH,B and DD to help enhance his knowledge of God’s word, allowing him to effectively spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of his faithfulness, dedication, and love for God, many people gave their lives to Christ through his leadership; and many more have gone on to become Overseers, Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers to minister to the lost.
       In 2009, at the demise of Elder Terry Horton, Overseer Grover Smith was appointed Overseer In 2009, at the demise of Elder Terry Horton, Overseer Grover Smith was appointed Overseer and Pastor and Pastor of Rising Star A.O.H. Church of God under the late Presiding Bishop G.W. Ayers. It was during this time Overseer Grover Smith would pastor this church for 15 years.
       In 2013, Overseer Grover Smith was appointed and consecrated as Bishop, a Prince in the Lord’s House. Bishop Smith led with dignity, distinction, and honor during his tenure as Bishop over District 2 and 35, and Department Head over the A.O.H. Church of God Ministry of Music. Under his leadership, his Districts enjoyed spiritual development, exponential growth and advancement, and spiritual solvency. Bishop Smith fed his membership according to his integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. He prayed for, counseled with, married, buried, and blessed countless families for forty-six years. Over the years, the church grew and continued to win souls souls for the kingdom of God.
       As a consummate leader and proactive thinker, Bishop Grover Smith embodied the spirit of a servant leader. As a visionary, he served his family, community, and church faithfully. Bishop Grover Smith was respected among his peers within and beyond the faith community.  He was known within the city of Leeds, Alabama and surrounding areas, along with the City of Birmingham and within the city of Leeds, Alabama and surrounding areas, along with the City of Birmingham and other cities within the state of Alabama. He was respected by his fellow brothers in Christ and preached across the country for different Bishops and Pastors within other church organizations, sharing and witnessing the Word of God. He was an active member of the A.O.H. Church of God sharing and witnessing the Word of God. He was an active member of the A.O.H. Church of God Board of Bishops.
       Bishop Grover Smith believed in the power of prayer! He overcame Bishop Grover Smith believed in the power of prayer!  He overcame many ailments over the years and was a living example that God was many ailments over the years and was a living example that God was indeed a healer and a prayer answering God.  Bishop Smith loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He believed in family and sought to build a righteous legacy for them.
       Bishop Grover Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Bishop Grover Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Grover Sr. and Mahala Fanning Smith, his brother, Willard Smith; Grover Sr. and Mahala Fanning Smith, his brother, Willard Smith; his sister, Mary Durrah; his late wife, Gatha Hardaway Smith, and his son, Reverend G. Labron Smith.
       Bishop Grover Smith penned the final chapter of a glorious life, and peacefully turned the page to join the Saints of the ages, life, and peacefully turned the page to join the Saints of the ages, surrounded by those who loved him most on Monday, November 18, 2024.  

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