James “Don” Smith, 91 of Hermitage, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 19, 2025. He served in the United States Army for over 20 years. Don answered God’s call to ministry early in life and served faithfully for almost 50 years. Over the course of his ministry, he pastored several churches in Arkansas and Oklahoma, including Western, Emerson; Beacon, El Dorado; Friendship, Magnolia; Cleveland, Cleveland; Eastside, Monticello; Rocky Point, Allen, Okla.; and Landmark, Hermitage. He retired from full-time pastoral ministry on May 30, 2021, after more than 17 years of service at Landmark. At the time of his death, he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren.
Bro. Smith was known for his unwavering commitment to the local church and his conviction that God’s people should gather faithfully. He often said the greatest joy of his ministry was the privilege of declaring God’s Word and being with God’s family. His desired epitaph, shared in a Baptist Trumpet Personality Profile, reflected the testimony of his life: “He was faithful unto death.”
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy Smith; two daughters, LaDonna (Ken) Goodwin and Linda (Steven) Adams; daughter-in-law Barb Smith; 6 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren, with David Inzer officiating. Burial followed at Adam-Singer Cemetery. Arrangements by Frazer’s Funeral Home.
