Quinton Roosevelt Smith

Reverend Dr. Quinton Roosevelt Smith, J.D., D.D., a devoted servant of God, beloved pastor, attorney, professor, veteran, and community leader, peacefully passed from this earthly life into eternal glory on March 5, 2026.

Born on August 4, 1942, in Houston, Texas, to Ira and Genevie Jackson Smith, Quinton grew up in the Central Gardens community alongside his nine siblings. He received his early education in the Houston Independent School District, attending Harper Elementary, Booker T. Washington Middle School, and High School, where he participated in the band and student organizations, graduating with honors. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Southern University, a Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and later a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity from Union Baptist Bible College and Seminary. He served as Professor of Homiletics and Hermeneutics at the seminary, shaping future generations of ministers.

Quinton courageously served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from September 1967 to June 1969, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, U.S. Army Expert Rifle Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. He answered the call to ministry at Central Garden Missionary Baptist Church and went on to serve at Wesley AME Church, Allen Chapel AME Church in Dayton, Texas, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, and as Associate Minister at his home church. In 1996, he became Senior Pastor of First Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for more than two decades before retiring in 2020 as Pastor Emeritus. He was mentored by his spiritual father, Rev. Dr. Samuel Smith, Sr., and served as Moderator of the 5th Sunday Fellowship, national Bible instructor for the National Baptist Congress, and guest teacher on KYOK radio. He was also a longtime employee of the Houston Independent School District.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 38 years, Delois Smith, and siblings John Smith, Marjorie Womack, and Mablean Warren. Rev. Dr. Smith is survived by his daughters, Pastor Catherine Smith and Jennifer Smith; grandsons Jaylen Botts and Dillan Botts; siblings Virginia Henry, Deacon Ronnie Smith, Deacon Danny Smith, Callie Smith, Kevin Smith, and Reginald Smith; Delois’s children R. Lundy, C. Rhem, and M. Rhem; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church members, fellow clergy, students, and friends who loved and respected him deeply. His life of faithful preaching, scholarship, mentorship, and servant leadership leaves a lasting legacy of faith and integrity.