Hugh Smith, 1928-2020

Hugh Green Smith, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel primarily among the Southeast Asian Affinity Peoples and served in Singapore, Malaysia, Zambia, Guam, Fiji and South Asia, died on May 5, 2020, in Ozark, Missouri. He was 91.

Smith was born on Aug. 5, 1928, in Bath County, Kentucky, to the late Sydney Payne and Fanny Butner Smith His family moved from Kentucky to a farm in Miller, Missouri, when he was 5 years old. He received the Associate of Arts from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri; the Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and the Bachelor of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1950 he married Kathryn Ann Greenfield. They were married 55 years until her death in 2006.

Smith was pastor of several churches in Arkansas and Missouri, some of which he started. In 1963, the International Mission Board appointed him and Kathryn as missionaries to Singapore and Malaysia. Because the government allowed them to work there only 10 years, they then served in four other countries before retiring in 1993. Hugh’s primary role was that of church planter, and he planted and nurtured several churches in those countries. After retirement he served as an interim pastor in Missouri.

After Kathryn’s death, Hugh married Martha Thomas. They lived in Liberty, Missouri, until they moved to The Baptist Home in Ozark about four years ago.

Smith is survived by daughters Beth Cochran (Cole) and Kendra Callaway (Tim); son Dan; six grandsons; 14 great-grandchildren; and three sisters. Hugh is also survived by his wife, Martha; two stepdaughters, Edith Pautz (Frank) and Dina Risalvato; four step grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren. Smith was preceded in death by his son Scott.

A family graveside service was held at May 9, 2020, in Glen Ridge Cemetery, Liberty. A celebration of life service is to be held later in Miller.

Memorial donations may be made to International Mission Board, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or to The Baptist Home, P.O. Box 1040, Ozark, MO 65721.

Read an obituary here.