Marion Smith
1940 – 2022
We are sad to announce the passing of Marion Smith, wife of Bishop Clifton Smith, on Monday evening, March 21st. She loved the people of Sonshine Network Ministries and served not only as First Lady and Leader for Ministers Wives Fellowship, but also as the Conference WIN Director, and office assistant. Marion spent many years ministering with her husband as an IPHC Missionary in England and Europe, as well as a Pastor’s wife in several churches in the U.S., and finally in West Palm Beach. More than anything, she loved her family, her beloved husband, Clifton, their two boys, Stephen and Chris, her sweet daughter-in-law Eileen, and her precious grandchildren, Zachary, Alyssa, and Chris Jr. She will be greatly missed by them all.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 26th at Highland Memorial Gardens/Chapel, 3229 State Rd. 436, Apopka, FL 32703. Family visitation will be held from 2:00pm-3:00pm and the service will begin at 3:00pm. There will be a light reception held at the Sonshine Network Ministries Conference office immediately following the service.
Cards of Condolence may be sent to 3329 East Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703.
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On behalf of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church World Missions family, we honor and remember, with gratitude, the life and ministry legacy of MRS. MARION SMITH, and we give thanks to God for her service as a revered and cherished missionary.
To our dear friend and ministry colleague Bishop Smith, Stephen and Eileen, Chris, Zachary, Alyssa, and Chris, Jr., please accept our deepest condolences. Know that the thoughts and prayers of your missionary family, are with you in your time of great sorrow and grief. We are praying that God will give you His strength as you walk through this valley.
In 1978, Marion and her husband, Clifton Smith, became IPHC’s first missionaries to Europe. These two demonstrated the IPHC’s heart to participate in the Great Commission.
In The Simultaneous Principle, written by Dr. Frank Tunstall, you will find the following description about the Smith’s tenure of service in World Missions.
“Vision for ministry in England took an enthusiastic leap when Clifton Smith announced his call to serve as a missionary in England. Clifton and Marion (who was an English citizen) went to London in October 1978 under the Operation Antioch program. Smith’s goal was to pioneer a church in London. Smith located property in the Finsbury Park area of London that became the home of the first Pentecostal Holiness Church in the capital. B. E. Underwood organized the church in September 1980 with 19 adults and their families. Several missionaries caught the vision and joined Smith in London.”
I read a quote a number of years ago that stated, “Everyone leaves a footprint in his or her lifetime that affects generations long after we leave this world.” The Kingdom imprint of Clifton and Marion Smith on the missionary fabric of the IPHC in Europe and London, England in particular, is indelible.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all,” especially - Marion’s family!
On behalf of IPHC’s World Missions family,
Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner
Executive Director, IPHC World Missions Ministries
