Bethel CME Cordele, Georgia Reverend Veronica R. Smith, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and attending her earlier years in Gainesville, Georgia. Her 45-year marriage to Bro Dulles Smith, Sr., is a testament to her dedication, and their family, blessed with two children, Dulles Jr. and Sheba Smith, six grandbabies, and one great-granddaughter, is a source of joy and inspiration. Rev. Smith's educational journey is a testament to her commitment to learning and growth. She graduated from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. She continued her studies with advanced courses in Equal Employment Opportunity from the Department of Defense and Automated Data Management Computer Studies from the University of Maryland (European Division). She holds a Master's and DM from Seed of Faith Theological Seminary Worldwide Accreditation Commission of Christian Education Institutions (WWAC), a bachelor’s in biblical studies from Pnuemia School of the Bible under WWAC, and a Bachelor of Arts from Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia. She is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Phillip School of Theology, co-opts with Garrett Theological Seminary Evanston, Illinois, accredited by NC-SARA and Accrediting Higher Learning. Rev Smith also served four years of active duty with the United States Army and fourteen years with the Department of Defense. She has received many awards and recognitions for her outstanding performances. Her most notable award was from the Department of The Army Commendation for dedicated service supporting Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She was honorably discharged as Sergeant E5 in December 1982. She received a diploma from North American Secretarial School in 1990 and graduated from the Primary Leadership Course while attaining Commandant’s List standing, exceeding course standards. As a civilian, Rev Smith received a Letter of Appreciation for a job well done, signed by Brigadier General John M. Watkins and one from Brigadier General Patricia P. Hickerson PERSON. Rev Smith received a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contribution on behalf of Blacks in Government. Wherever the armed forces stationed her, she remained active in the church. She was baptized as a teenager in 1974 at Timber Ridge Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. Rev. Smith's commitment to learning and growth is evident in her journey. Upon accepting the call into ministry, she began a profound education in biblical doctrine. Her four-year study at Little Benjamin School of Theology in McDonough, Georgia, culminated in her certification in Basic Bible Knowledge, a testament to her dedication to education. In January 2010, she received a certification in Christian Counseling, and in May 2010, a certification in Anger Management. In 1994, Reverend Smith accepted her call into ministry, beginning a dedicated service to the church community. She was licensed in September 1997 and ordained in March 2002 as an Associate Minister at Countyline Towalgia Jackson, GA. Her duties included ministering at Sun Bridge Nursing Home, teaching Bible classes for Sunday School, and serving as Director and Overseer for the Senior Citizen Ministry. Her service at Towagalia County line was marked by numerous accolades, reflecting her commitment and impact. Rev Smith accepted a position as an Associate Minister at Rock Creek Baptist. Church, Flovilla, Ga., serving as assistant to the pastor and later Associate Pastor. Her duties included ministering at the Bowling Brooke Nursing Home, Bowling. Brooke Ga., Young Adult Ministry, Sunday school Instructor, Women Ministry and Pastor Aide Ministry. She later accepted the position of Associate Pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Gainesville, Ga. Her duties included helping with the church's daily operations and filling in when the pastor was absent. She also served as a Sunday school teacher, Bible Study teacher, Mission Director, Worship Leader, and Church Advisor. Rev Smith would accept a position as a teacher for The Greater Northwestern. Baptist Association and Advisor to Women in ministry and worked with IBMA Inter-domination Black Ministerial Association. Rev Smith has received certificates of appreciation for her dedicated service to the Greater Northwestern Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education, 2005, and other Certificate of Appreciation for loyalty and commitment to the instruction of God’s Word and dedicated Service to the Greater Northwestern Baptist Association of Georgia, 2006, 2007 and 2008. She is a member of the Gainesville, Georgia, NAACP. 2004, God allowed her to birth Source of Hope Baptist Church, where she pastored for twelve years. As the visionary for this ministry, Smith has been responsible for fulfilling the administrative and pastoral responsibilities. Smith has faithfully served as the pastor of Source of Hope for twelve years. Some of her duties include the development procedures for the church, leaders, congregation, and personnel. As a pastor, her duties extend far beyond the pulpit on Sunday morning; she is committed to serving God and his people. Smith enjoys mentoring ministers who are seeking further development in their calling. Her primary focus is training in ministerial ethics and the preparation of sermons. Over the years, Smith has had numerous opportunities to exercise her gifts. She has done anniversaries, women's days, church dedications, ordinations, revivals, mission days, ushers’ anniversaries, and prayer breakfasts, to name a few. Smith has also preached at the Greater Northwestern Baptist Association annual session and the Congress of Christian Education. Rev Smith has served on many ordination councils and discussion panels. She has received several accolades in ministry, such as a certificate of appreciation from A New Thing Ministries International, an award for dedicated services, The Chosen Jewels Ministry Towaligia Countyline, The Women of The Year in Religion and Business from the Housewives Leagues of Hall County and The Black History Committee Of The ZOA Sorority For Christian Women. Rev Smith is Vice President for the Greater Northwestern Baptist Association, Congress of Christian Education. Reverend Smith joined the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and was appointed pastor of Mount Pleasant CME Commerce, GA, served three years, and was appointed pastor of Deer Court CME, Toccoa, GA, and Bethel CME Church Cordele, GA, in 2023. Reverend Smith was awarded the Presiding Elders Servant Award 2017 Georgia North, Elberton Gainesville District.