East Liberty Association gives out Bibles in honor of longtime instrumentalist

East Liberty Association gives out Bibles in honor of longtime instrumentalist

When Laverne Smith was 14 years old, she started playing the organ at Center Baptist Church, LaFayette, in East Liberty Baptist Association. Over the years, she faithfully played the church’s organ and piano.

And when she died May 17 at 86 years old, she hadn’t slowed down at all, said Pastor Randall Hamer.

“As a woman who was part of the community and church and as a mother- in-law, you couldn’t ask for a better lady,” said Hamer, who is married to Deborah, one of Smith’s four daughters.

Smith taught Sunday School and Girls in Action, and she would ride around in the community and pick up children and bring them to church, Hamer said. “Many Sundays after church, the kids would end up spending the afternoon at her house.”

And now East Liberty Association is honoring Smith’s legacy by continuing her outreach.

Instead of sending flowers after her death, the association purchased cases of Bibles in her memory, stamped her name in the front and began handing them out to those in need.

It’s a ministry the association often does when staff members of area churches or their spouses pass away. Some of them go to the local jail ministry. Some go to churches who are holding evangelistic events. Some of them stay in the office for whenever they might be needed.

“(East Liberty Director of Missions) Dale Wood called me up and said he knew we needed to do this in her memory when he found out how long she had been at the church,” Hamer said. “She has always been a precious woman. She was a lifelong member of Center Baptist and she was dedicated.” (Grace Thornton)