J.W. Smith, a member of First Baptist Church, Norris, was honored recently for having taught the same men’s Sunday school class for 50 consecutive years.
Members of the class shared personal comments about Smith’s devotion to preparing each week’s lesson and teaching it with sincerity, always based on God’s word. They also spoke of his love for every member, which he demonstrated by choosing a “just right” nickname for each one.
Class president Herbert Stancil presented Smith with a plaque engraved with words of appreciation for his many years of service. Smith’s family was in attendance, and his daughter concluded the recognition by reading a poem she wrote in honor of the occasion, a portion of which follows:
“Through the week you were a builder of houses, but on Sundays you helped to build homes / Teaching fathers to keep their eyes on God and never from His ways to roam / You taught your boys to be godly husbands, guiding their families with love / You challenged them to lead by example, seeking strength and wisdom from above.”
J.W. Smith