![]() Smart spent over 40 years as a pastor, community leader and mentor. On Sunday, November 4, the world lost an advocate for education. Friends will be received from 10:00 AM until time of services.īurial will follow at William Howard Day Cemetery, Steelton. Services celebrating his life will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, Novemat Bethel AME Church, 1721 N. His Extended Family, the many children he loved and considered son/daughter, those who moved from a member developing into true brother and or sister and lastly to wonderful colleagues whom he loved and would do anything for. His Nephews and Nieces, Barney Smart (Lesha), Tory Smart, Larry Lewis, Jejuan Graham, Tiffany Rodgers, Candace Rodgers His In Laws, Mary Ann Smart, Jacklon Rodgers, Fredrick Rodgers His daughter, the apple of his eye, his pride and joy, Belinda Smart Edsall (Peter Edsall) The love of his life, soulmate and partner for 27 years, Marion Denise Rodgers Smart We praise God for the over 35 sons and daughters birthed from his leadership and example. Watching his children in the ministry during their trial sermons and robing them during ordination services were extreme honors, rendering him very emotional. He was always the proudest when he stood before a waiting congregation presenting those who answered the call to preach. Pastor Smart was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., Beta Phi Lambda Chapter and the Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Beta Psi. In Albany he encouraged other pastors to donate smart boards for Albany High School classrooms. After galvanizing the faith community, with protest, press conferences and meetings with the company, the commercial was removed from the airwaves. ![]() He stood up to Anheuser Busch in 1998 when they aired a commercial showing an angel drinking beer and partying. In Newark he was instrumental in closing a highway on-ramp next to an elementary school where a child was hit and killed by a driver. Reverend Smart was elected the first black councilman in Chambersburg and served for two consecutive terms. ![]() He strongly believed in seeking the least, the lost, and the left behind. His community involvement stemmed from his genuine love of people. Over the span of his 40 year career, his creativity and commitment to young people and those in need was realized through various means of service: summer camps, scholarship funds, Saturday reading and tutorial programs, Plant-A-Seed (one year raised $20,000 to give to anyone in need), HBCU college tours, collaboration with Drew Seminary and Andover Newton Theological serving as a supervised site for the field education for seminary students, Step-Up, giving away 3 cars (recipients all single mothers), college campus bible study, purchase of property, youth basketball team that developed into a youth interfaith basketball league for all churches, drop-in center for city’s homeless, welfare to workforce, and summer youth employment opportunities. After experiencing health challenges, Pastor Smart requested a medical leave from the active pastorate in 2017. Two years later, Rev Smart’s appointment sent him to Israel AME in Albany, NY, where for 13 years he faithfully gave of himself to church and community. After 13 years of dedicated service there, he was appointed to pastor St. The itinerancy required his service next at Israel Memorial in Newark, New Jersey. After being ordained a Deacon in 1977 and an itinerate elder in 1979, Rev Edward Smart was appointed Pastor of Bethel AME in Mercersburg and Cito. He answered the call to preach at Monumental AME under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev Horace E. There Edward served the Lord with gladness on the choir and as a Pastor’s Steward. Upon arrival in Steelton, the family transferred their membership to Monumental AMEC. The family’s spiritual journey began in Dothan at Cherry St. He graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Political Science and continued his education at Lutheran Theological Seminary earning a joint Masters and Doctorate degree. After graduating from Steelton Highspire High School in 1967, Edward attended Fisk University where he was a Fisk Jubilee Singer. The Smarts moved from Dothan to Steelton to provide more opportunities for success for Eddie and the family. He was born on Jto the late Edward Bernard and Barbara (Smith) Smart, in Dothan, Alabama. Edward Bernard Smart, Jr, 69, of Albany, NY, was joyously welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Sunday, Novemat St. ![]()
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