Mother Jeanette Baxter Smith went home to be with the Lord on October 13, 2019. She was born in Clayton, Alabama on February 22, 1940. She was employed at St. Thomas Hospital as a nurse’s assistant for over 30 years. She served as the Church Mother at Lighthouse Christian Center Church of God in Christ and she was a licensed missionary in the Ohio Central East Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. She was the founder of the Embers Youth Choir at Hills Temple First Born Church of the Living God. In the 1960’s she was one of the lead vocalists on a gospel album with the Hills Temple First Born Church Choir, the song was entitled, “Jesus Said If You Go.” Mother was a prayer warrior, a lover of the Word of God, and a strong woman who raised a house full of preachers. She is lovingly remembered for her infectious laughter and her macaroni and cheese.

Mother Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Ben Ware and Ida Mae (Turner) Ware; siblings, Frances Fain and Roy Ware.

She is survived by four sons, Bishop Robert S. Baxter Sr. (Grace), Pastor Kenneth R. Baxter (Rhonda), Min. Christopher R. Baxter (Theresa), and Mark T. Smith; siblings, Emma Louise Moses, Mary Peterson,  Foy Ware, Dr. David Ware (Irene), B. Jewell Carter (Charles), Eld. Emmanuel Ware (Roberta), and Betty Ware; sister-in-law, Alice Ware; grandchildren, Robert, Andrew, Amber, Vance, Jonathan, Olivia, Jaden, Logan, Elisha, Neveah, and great-grandchildren Jiyah and Jamiyah; special nephew, Jerry Peterson; special friends, Minnie Lee,  Ann Jones, Yvonne Johnston,  and a host of other family and  friends.