Hampden Harrison Smith, Jr., 1909-2000

  Hampden Harrison Smith Jr. was born Dec. 29, 1908, in Blackstone, Va., the son of a Methodist minister. In 1931, he was graduated from Randolph-Macon College. He taught for two years at Randolph-Macon Academy before answering an insistent call and enrolled in Duke University Divinity School. He graduated in 1936 with honors. He was admitted on trial in 1935, ordained a deacon and admitted into full connection in 1937, and ordained an elder in 1939.

  During his last year at Duke, he served part of the conference year at the Boonsboro Charge in the Lynchburg District. In the fall, he moved to the Southview-Providence Charge, where he married the lovely Katharine Russell of Richmond. In 1940, he was transferred with his wife and month-old son to St. Paul’s Church in Richmond. Then followed a term of service with the Board of Christian Education as its director of adult and rural work. Pastorates followed at Fairfax Charge, Community in Arlington, Washington Street Church in Petersburg, and Main Street Church in Suffolk. He was superintendent of the Staunton District from 1961 to 1967, then served Trinity Church in Alexandria, and Stratford Hills Church in Richmond.

  Throughout these 41 years, Ham Smith served on many boards and agencies of the church and was elected as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference. As registrar and as president of the Board of Ministerial Training, he was able to help large numbers of pastors in their early days to become able and effective servants of Christ.

  He was devoted to Randolph-Macon College, from which both his father and his son also graduated. The college awarded him the honorary degree of doctor of divinity.

  Bishop Kenneth Goodson acknowledged my suggestion by appointing Ham Smith, in his retirement, to the position of director of the Association of Educational Institutions of the Virginia Conference, which office he held and dignified for many years.

  Ham Smith was foremost a preacher. His scholarly manner, his impeccable diction and fluent verbiage made his sermons high moments for his congregations. Above all, Ham Smith was the epitome of what a Christian gentleman should be. In every time, no matter where he was, never was heard any slightest criticism of his integrity or his profound honesty, which were rooted in his commitment to Christ.

  His company was sought by all who knew him for his good humor and sincerity. His and "Kitty’s" homes were not only beautiful in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense as well, as they shared their warm love and hospitality so lavishly.

  The Rev. Hampden H. Smith Jr. died on Dec. 13, 2000, in Charlottesville. A service of celebration of his life was held at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville on Dec. 22, 2000. The pastor, the Rev. Donald E. Carlton, presided, and Bishop R. Kern Eutsler gave the eulogy. Among those celebrating were his son and his son’s wife, whom he adored, and their two children, Katharine Smith Santos and H. Harrison Smith IV — and yet another generation, represented by 6-month-old Andi Dakota Smith.

  "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it."