Marvin Allyn Smith
sFlowerLink="https://www.tfcbenton.com/"

Send Flowers

Service Schedule
Wayside Chapel
1705 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX  78213
Friday, January 19, 2007
2:00 P.M.
Cemetery
Pinecrest Memorial Park
7401 Hwy 5 N.
Alexander, AR  72002
Marvin Allyn Smith

of Bryant, AR

August 27, 1936 - January 11, 2007

Marvin Allyn Smith, 70, of Bryant, AR, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2007, after a two year battle with cancer. He had previously resided in San Antonio, TX, until June 2006.

Marvin was born on August 27, 1936, to Verle and Alma Mae Smith in Chickasha, Oklahoma, as their first born child. Marvin was always extremely gifted academically and ranked at the top of his class when he graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa. He then graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1959. Marvin entered the Navy as an officer in 1960 and became a radar officer on the U.S.S Wasp aircraft carrier (CVS-18). He was honorably discharged from active duty in March 1964.

At that time, he felt the Lord calling him into full-time Christian ministry, and he joined the staff of the Navigators in 1964. Marvin felt a calling to missions and spent a total of 14 years as a missionary overseas in the countries of New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, and Ghana with the Navigators' ministry. Marvin met his wife Georgette through the Navigators, and she joined him in mission work while raising their three children overseas on the mission field. His life goal was to reach people with the gospel of Christ, and he always followed the Lord's call on his life with faith and a willingness to go anywhere the Lord led him.

Marvin and Georgette returned to the United States where Marvin earned a Master's degree in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, in 1983. Their next move was to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Marvin acted as Director of Missions for the Navigators at their headquarters at Glen Eyrie until 1993.

God continued to direct Marvin's commitment to ministry by calling him to leave the Navigators in 1993 after 29 years of service to become the Mission's Pastor of Wayside Chapel in San Antonio, TX. Marvin faithfully served there until his retirement in 2005.

Marvin was diagnosed with kidney cancer in December 2004, and he aggressively fought the disease for two years with unwavering faith in God's sovereign will for his life. He remained a courageous missionary, loving husband and father, adoring grandfather, loyal friend, wise counselor, faithful mentor, and OSU Cowboy fan until the end. Marvin's life exemplified 2 Timothy 4: 7-8: ''I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day.''

Marvin is survived by his wife Georgette Smith whom he married in 1966; daughter Michelle Cearley and son-in-law Stuart Cearley of Cabot, AR; son Asher Woolverton of Broomfield, CO; daughter Melody Pengelly and son-in-law Lee Pengelly of Alexander, AR; grandchildren Owen and Hudson Cearley and Ella Pengelly; father Verle Smith of Edmond, OK; brother Glen Smith of Edmond, OK; and sister Marilyn Carter of Broken Arrow, OK. He was preceded in death by his mother Alma Mae Smith.

The Smith family is thankful for the outpouring of love and support from their church family at Wayside Chapel and their many friends around the world. They request your continued prayers for comfort, wisdom, and peace during this time. A graveside service for family will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, AR, on Monday, January 15, 2007. A public memorial service to celebrate Marvin's life and legacy will be held at Wayside Chapel, San Antonio, TX, on Friday, January 19, 2007, at 2 P.M. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Marvin's honor to Shepherds' Support Inc. at www.shepherdssupport.org or 755 E. Mulberry, Suite 600, San Antonio, TX 78212.


Sign Guestbook

7 Condolence(s)
Renee Snyder
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Friday, January 26, 2007

What an amazing testimony to the Lord's faithfulness and guidance in your Father's life and leadership of every area of his life. Melody, I am so glad to have known him through your kind words and abundant love for him. What a dynamic man who is now with his loving Father. You and your family are in our prayers, Renee and Dan Snyder

Jamie (Merritt) Sims
Camden, AR
Liked
Monday, January 15, 2007

All of you have been in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to be during these difficult times. The few times I was around Mr. Smith are all good memories - first at Michelle and Stuart's wedding and then at the boys' birthday parties. I will remember his sweet, sincere smile and loving demeanor. Please know you are in our hearts even though we cannot be with you at this time. Love always from your "Cousin".

Marvin Allyn Smith
, AR
Liked
Sunday, January 14, 2007

Dear Georgette: I am so terribly sorry for your loss my dear. Please call me when ever you feel lonely or would like to have someone to talk with. Much love in the Lord. Dona Danforth

Myrtle Glover
Arkadelphia, AR
Liked
Sunday, January 14, 2007

We want to express our deepest sympathy to all the family in the loss of your husband and father. and grandfather. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Myrtle Glover and Mae Belle McKinnie

Roy & Bea Cearley
Camden, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 13, 2007

Our love and heartfelt sympathy is extended to all members of the family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend will be missed. As Marvin drew his last breath, Jesus reached down and gently took him home - his earlhly ministry was over, but his work for Jesus will continue in the lives of those he loved and touched.

stark kids
, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 13, 2007

we are sorry mr. smith died. may god bless you all

John and Donya Stark
Batesville, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 13, 2007

Dear Mrs. Georgette, Michelle, Stuart, Asher, Melody and Lee, We are so sorry for your loss. Cancer is a terrible thing. We rejoice that Mr. Marvin trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord and is in heaven now. May God's light guide you in these dark times. Our prayers are with you.