Former Regional Minister Ralph Lynwood Smith, 84, died December 10, 2016 in Decatur GA. He was a graduate of Emory University and Candler School of Theology, both in Atlanta, and was ordained at Atlanta First Christian Church in 1962. He served in the Army in the Korean War. His ministerial service includes pastorates in Atlanta, Albany, and Decatur, Georgia, before being called as Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Kansas. He served here from 1986 to 1997.
His ministerial work also includes serving as Moderator of the Christian Church in Georgia; Trustee of Phillips University, member of the board of Christian Church Foundation, and service with numerous committees, boards and task forces of the regional and general church and in the Atlanta area, including holding various offices.
He and his wife Emily have two children, Kevin and Karen, and two grandchildren. Services will be held Sunday afternoon, Dec. 18 at 3p at the First Christian Church in Decatur, GA. The family suggests memorials to the church or to the Christian Church Foundation. In addition, upon his retirement from the Christian Church in Kansas, the Smith Ownby-Smith Fund was established in his honor with CCK, the proceeds of which used by our regional board.