The hour-long honorary event, held at the conclusion of the opening session of the Baptist State Convention's (BSC) annual meeting, gave Baptists across the state an opportunity to bid farewell to Smith, who retires as executive director-treasurer of the BSC Dec. 31. The native North Carolinian served his entire 43-year ministry within the state, including 13 years at the helm of the Convention.

Lighthearted, upbeat
Lighthearted humor, deep-felt thanks and warm memories provided an intimate backdrop as Baptist leaders and Smith family members recognized Smith's accomplishments, thanked him for his devotion and offered blessings for his retirement years.

"We are here to honor you for what you've given...and we are here to honor the Father whom we have seen through you," said Kathryn Hamrick, former president of the General Board and emcee of the event. Hamrick acknowledged that Smith's years of leadership had not been without difficulty.

"When the way was not clear, the path was not smooth ã those may have been the times Roy led us best," Hamrick said. "You brought us safely and courageously through the wilderness more than once."

Hamrick thanked Smith for his tenacity through those times and read Karl Meninger's poem Do It Anyway in honor of Smith's perseverance.

"I can't believe you're retiring," said Southern Baptist Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) executive director Dellanna O'Brien, who spoke via video. "I just want to say how much I appreciate you and your willingness to be my friend."

O'Brien praised Smith for his courageous support of WMU even when it meant "stepping out on a limb." William Pinson, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas also spoke by video representing state convention executives: "You are a person of great integrity....The kind of person who can negotiate without becoming irritable or angry."

Pinson further expressed congratulations to Smith, whom he said has "a world heart for people." Representing the agencies and institutions of the Baptist State Convention, Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University, reflected on his role to help install Smith as executive director-treasurer in 1985.

'reminding us we must love one another'
"His greatest success is reminding us we must love one another," Wiggins said. "I thank you for your friendliness, for your leadership, for making all of us better servants of God."

Chester Jones, director of missions in Truett Association, credited Smith with the capacity to cooperate with and respect people from all parts of the state, including the "mountain men."

"Your openness with inquiring minds and struggling pilgrims in the faith has blessed us," Jones said.

Video of Smith's life and ministry
An upbeat video, "A Life of Love," utilized family photographs, gospel music and narrative storytelling to share the highlights of Smith's life and ministry. Also during the program, Smith's children sang an a cappella arrangement of "Amazing Grace." The N.C. Baptist Singers performed a rendition of one of Smith's favorite gospel songs, "Turn the Radio On," and closed the program with David Schwoebel's "An Expression of Graditude."

Greg Mathis and Mike Queen joked and bantered good-naturedly about their conservative/moderate differences as they shared the podium to offer presentations to Smith. Mathis, 1997 president of the BSC, and Queen, president of the BSC General Board, were described as an "odd couple" by Hamrick, who reminded the audience how the two men had modeled collegiality across political lines as they served in their respective leadership roles.

Farewell gift
The Smiths were greeted with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation as they were invited to the stage with their family. Doris Smith was presented a dozen red roses and the Smiths together were presented keys to a 1997 Lincoln Town Car.

"On behalf of the General Board, North Carolina Baptists thank you for a lifetime of service," Queen said. "You have exemplified what being a Baptist is all about, and we thank you for that."

"Thank you so much," Smith responded, speaking specifically to some of the "finest people, agencies, leaders and family members on earth.

"I am truly at a loss for words except to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Childers is a freelance writer from Charlotte)