Cede& ye, legacy 3)eootion and Commitment q/Kc & U/UU60 'Su/iset ~ m eyd Wednsday, July 5> 2006 Eleven O'clock in the Morning y& e ^Beuiaft C^roue Baptist ^Sfturcft 1434 Popular Street - Augusta Georgia The Reverend D r. Sam D avis - Officiating Pastor The Prelude Processional Selection The Reading from the Holy Scripture The Prayer of Comfort A Solo In-Tribute Sacred Melodies The Ministers of Music "Order My Steps" The Beulah Grove Choir The Reverend Brenda Kitt Beulah Grove Baptist Church The Reverend Thomas Walker Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Ms. Marian Carpenter The Reflections In-Retrospect ( Three Minutes, Please) As A Family Member - Mr. Willie Smith Jr. As A Neighbor - Mr. Larry Redfield As A Friend - Hakim Salahuddin e Life of Byron Levert Smith In- Reminiscent - Silent Reading ( Soft Instrumentation o f "Amazing Grace") Poem Mr. Phillip McKenzie Brother The Expression of Gratitude and Acknowledgements The Selection of Praise The Eulogistic Message The Recessional The Interment Ms. Veronica W. Bolton Ms. Clarice Whighams Reverend Dr. Sam Davis " Going Up Yonder" Hillcrest Memorial Park ...The Repast/Fellowship For Family And Friends... The Beulah Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall tTfieTidJi o f Z\/C r. JS y ro n 3 Zevert In Reminiscence 1977 --2oo6 God... Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Byron Levert Smith, son of Viola McKenzie and the late Willie E. Harris, was bom one golden autumn day, November 15, 1957, in Augusta, Georgia. Early in his childhood, Byron was blessed with a grandmother who formatively helped to shape and mold him into the ambitious, self-directed, and energetic person he inevitably became. He was baptized at an early age. Later in his childhood, Byron was taken to New York City to live with his mother and attended P.S. 109 and P.S. 79 in Manhattan. After completing elementary school, Byron returned to Augusta, Georgia where he lived with his late grandmother, Ethel Smith-Palmer, and also with the late Mary Harris, and became a member of the Beulah Grove Baptist Church. Byron completed his secondary schooling at Tubman Jr. High and graduated from T.W. Josey High School in 1977. Upon completion of this feat, Byron matriculated to Morris Brown College where he attended for two years before entering the armed forces. When Byron returned home, he worked as a barber/stylist at the Hair Cuttery in Augusta Mall, Fort Gordon, and the Veterans Administration Hospital. Byron, a Master Mason (Oklahoma Jurisdiction) Prince Hall, in his spare time he worked as a caddy at the Augusta National Golf Course. Byron Levert Smith entered the land of peaceful rest Thursday, June 29, 2006 at Heartland Hospice. Those pilgrims who will continue to tread this earthly sojourn while holding fondly and dearly his legacy include: A devoted mother, Viola McKenzie; two loving daughters, Raneesha Smith and Shaneesha Smith, Charlotte, NC; one granddaughter, Sariah Smith; two sons, Destin Z. Webb Dublin, GA and Marcus Stringer, Moultrie GA; four compassionate sisters, Patrice (Harold) Campbell, Augusta, GA; Deidra Harris, Hercules, CA; Tamla Terry, Augusta, GA; Muriel (Rodney) Combs, Grovetown, GA; six brothers, Curtis Harris, Willie Harris, Jr., Phillip McKenzie, all of Augusta, GA; Darin McKenzie, Rome, GA; Ricky Terry, Montclair, NJ, and Winston (Keisha) McKenzie, Augusta, GA; eight aunts, Beatrice Moss, Fayette (Billy) McDonald, Marlette Smith, all of Augusta, GA; Barbara Ann (Gilbert) Holmes, Orangeburg, SC; Joyce (Esau) Bradley Neptune, NJ; Naomi Lee, Pamela Covington of Augusta, GA;, and Barbara Smith Manhattan, NY; three uncles, James Smith Columbus, GA, John Harris and Richard (Faye) Harris of Augusta, GA; and A devoted friend and confidant Ms. Pollyanna Mimminger, Augusta, GA; a grand array of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, colleagues, and acquaintances at-large. Byron, My friend, my confidant, my everything. You've always been therefo r rrtgjio matter the distance. Whenever times were hard you knew the right things to say, such a philosopher you are. You said you didn't want us separated, / understand. Heavens door and angel knocks what a beautiful sight, you are the next up for your wings now you've been blessed God's soldier our protector. I will always love you. Pollyanna God's Stairway Step by step we climb each day Closer to God with each prayer we pray For "the cry of the heart"offered in prayer Becomeju st another "spiritual stair" In the "heavenly staircase" leading us to A beautiful place where we live anew... So never give up for it's worth the climb To liveforever in "endless time" Where the soul of man is safe andfree To live in love through eternity! Extracts from: Helen Steiner Rice's "Shower of Blessings" A Tribute to my Brother -- Selected by Patrice Smith Campbell-- TMFREE Tm free. Don't grieve for me now. Tm following the path God has laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day - To laugh, to love, to work, or to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found Peace at the end o f the day. I f my parting has left a void, Thenfdl it with remembered joys; A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes, these things, I too, shall miss! Be not burdened with times o f sorrow; I wish for you the sunshine o f tomorrow. My life has been full; Tve savored much - Good friends, good things, and a loved one's touchI Perhaps my time seem all too brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue GRIEF. Lift up your hearts, and share with me, GOD wanted me NOW; HE has set me FREE! (Paraphrase) c/fcu ortj^fie cJ^^encC^Jajrpy oments ewn enter ane BYRON'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE STAGES OF LIFE 1957 - 2006 F + f THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE CELEBRATION Hb ' f fje Hearers! of tfje Casfeet James Campbell, Jerry Fluellen, Alonzo Gibbs, Corey Lee, Curtis Smith, Benjamin Walton fje pearers of tfjejflorals: The Members of Beulah Grove Baptist Church and Friends jc Honorary Hearers! of tfje Casket anb jflorals! Cordero K. Campbell, Troy Ewing, Richard Harris Jr., Lemont Moss Sr. A ___ A -jp cJU THE EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION JU =J= We, the Family o f Mr. Byron Levert Smith extends prayerful, and sincere appreciation, to include their most fervent gratitude to the people o f the Augusta and surrounding communities for every act o f benevolence and all o f the kindness shown to them during their time o f bereavement. Perhaps it was a phone call, a visit, a card, o ra prayer whispered unto G od for strength and acceptance; perhaps you broughtfood, sent a flower, or simply wished us well, whatever role you played, we shall remain eternally grateful to each o fyou. May G od shower all o fyou with his m ost bountiful blessings! -- The Mckenzie, Smith, and Harris Families (At - Large)