November 25, 2002
99-year-old East Texan values BGCT service
___By Scott Collins
___Buckner News Service
___"Sometimes, I get my words and my places messed up, so I might have to back up a little bit," Malcolm Smith said as he began to tell about his life.
___When he backs up a little, he falls back 99 years to the day he was born, Oct. 29, 1903. That, he said, is his first memory: "It was when the doctor left the house the night I was born."
___And then he smiles. "You don't want anysmart aleck stuff on this, do you?" he asks with a deep, gravely voice.
MALCOLM SMITH (Misty Keasler/Buckner Photo)
___One true memory he does have is of the first time he passed by Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas. "That was in 1920, and I've passed it a lot times since then. I always had a feeling that I would like to be connected with that organization in some way or another."
___Twenty years later, that feeling was confirmed when Smith was first elected by the Baptist General Convention of Texas to the board of trustees for Buckner in 1941. Now, more than 60 years later, the 99-year-old Smith, who is a trustee emeritus, said he treasures his service to the BGCT agency as the one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
___"It's made me feel like I was really doing something worthwhile," he said. "It made me feel like I was sort of paying my rent here. I've enjoyed every minute of it."
___In an age when longevity is defined in days and months, Smith gauges his life by decades. He was born in Upshur County and has lived there his entire life. He was married to his first wife, Blynn Carter, who died in 1977, for 54 years. His second wife, Lucy, died after the couple was married 10 years.
___Smith served as a director of Upshur County's Yamboree Festival for more than 50 years. He was Sunday School superintendent at First Baptist Church in Gilmer for 20 years, taught Sunday School for 25 years and served as a deacon for nearly 70 years.
___After operating a service station in Gilmer for 18 years, Smith ran the Gilmer National Bank for 33 years and served on the bank's board of directors for 52 years.
___Looking back on his 52 years as an active trustee with Buckner, Smith said the two years he served as chairman "stand out as two of the best years of my life."
___"Buckner has had five presidents since it began in 1879. It has been my privilege and joy to serve as trustee under four of these fine Christian and Baptist men, and my life has been enriched and blessed by serving with them and the many wonderful trustees for 52 years," Smith said.
___The feelings of admiration are mutual.
___"Malcolm Smith symbolizes for all of us the definition of service," said Buckner President Ken Hall, noting that founder R.C. Buckner is the only president with whom Smith did not serve. "For more than 60 years, he has been a model of consistency, humility and dedication."
___"I don't know how I could have spent my time any better than as a trustee of Buckner Benevolences," Smith said. "I had an opportunity to do some work there that is the one thing that I felt like I was doing not for my own good or any glory or anything, but for the good of the people.
___"And really, that is what Buckner has done all this time is serve the people, the needy people, not the country club bunch, but those who need help. Buckner has been ready for them and they are still ready for them."
___Longtime Buckner staff member Weldon McElreath said Smith has set an example not only through his time as a trustee but also through his generosity. "I know Mr. Smith has given not only of his time, but he has given money to support the kids, to support our retirement homes and to support everything Buckner does."
___Today, Smith lives in a duplex in Gilmer where he is still active in his church and community, though his activities are restricted to the telephone, which he happily uses to stay in touch.
___And for anyone who asks, he shares his simple philosophy for living a long life: "It seems like I worked hard down through the years. But I think the secret is doing what you feel is right. I think that's it."
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