Mark Edward Smith, 70, of Trimble, Missouri passed away August 7th, 2023. He was born May 5th, 1953, to the late Dewel Smith and Betty (Jones) Smith in Fredericktown, Missouri.
Mark was raised in Des Arc, Missouri, and accepted Christ as his personal Savior at age 6. Mark graduated from South Iron High School in 1971. On May 25th, 1974, he married his one true love, Theresa. Together, they worked in ministry in Mark’s father’s church in Des Arc, Missouri. In 1976, Mark and Theresa moved to Tennessee, joined the Church of God, and started pursuing active ministry. Mark became a licensed minister in the Church of God at the age of 26. Mark and Theresa pastored their church in 1980 in Flat River, Missouri for five years, during which Mark became an Exhorter in the Church of God. They pastored the Church of God in Joplin, Missouri for three years. The longest pastoral ministry was in Cuba, Mo, starting in 1988 until 2011, where lifelong friendships were developed, and the congregation played an important role in Mark and his family’s life. While in Cuba, Mo, Mark became Ordained on August 15th, 1988. Mark continued to further his ministry by becoming an Ordained Bishop on June 7, 1990. God, then, led Mark to pastor in St. Joseph, Missouri until God called him home.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Theresa Smith and his two daughters, Rachel Eckles of Smithville, Missouri (husband William Eckles) and Treva Finley of St. Joseph, Missouri (husband Josh Finley); four grandchildren, Dylan Eckles (13), Austin Eckles (10), Ava Dodrill (10), and Audrey Finley (3), and his brother Thomas Smith, wife Sandy Smith, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends and members of his congregation at Abundant Faith Church of God, who loved and supported him through the end of his ministry.
Mark was an avid fisherman, golfer and loved to take the grandchildren out on the boat tubing.
Mark faithfully dedicated his life to the ministry and made an impact on everyone he met. Mark’s mantra in life was the Church is a healing center for a hurting world. Mark was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud Papa.
The family is asking for any memorial donations in support of the Bread of Life Orphanage in Brosteni, Romania. Donations can be sent to the Administrative Office at 920 Center Church Rd, East Earl, PA 17519.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Friday, Abundant Faith Church of God on 2002 Mason Rd, St. Joseph, Mo. Interment Smithville Memorial Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 10:30 A.M. Friday, Abundant Faith Church of God.
