Pastor Leroy Nesmith's Obituary
The funeral service for Pastor Leroy Nesmith, 69 of Lufkin were held at 2 P.M., Saturday, May 25, 2024, in the Goodwill Church, Lufkin,812 E. Lufkin Ave, Lufkin. Burial will followed in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Pastor Leroy J. Nesmith was born in Andrews, South Carolina in 1955, to the parents of James and Rebecca Bell Nesmith. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Livingstone College in North Carolina, and there he also pledged Omega Psi Phi, Chapter Lambda Psi, in the spring of 1977.
Pastor Nesmith was one of the founders of the United Voices. He was employed as a supervisor for 19 years at International Paper Mill in Corrigan.
He united in Holy Matrimony to Polly Strong and they were blessed with their baby girl, Jessica Nesmith. The Nesmith family joined Goodwill Baptist Church in 1991, and he worked diligently as a servant leader in various roles such as; trustee, deacon and president of the mass choir.
Pastor Nesmith preached his first sermon, July 26, 2015, and was later ordained. In 2018, Pastor Nesmith was called to be the pastor of Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, where he proudly served for 6 years. He has been a mentor, father figure, and role model to many. However, his true joy was preaching God's Word.
Leaving to cherish his precious memories: his beloved wife Polly Nesmith; baby girl Jessica Byrd; son-in-law Anthony Byrd; grandsons, Mason and Reece Byrd; one brother Lewis Nesmith; godsons, Ray Montgomery and Kenterious Walker; the Peaceful Rest Church family and a wealth of other relatives.
What’s your fondest memory of Leroy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leroy?
Share a story where Leroy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leroy you’ll never forget.
How did Leroy make you smile?