Lyle Dean Smith

Dr. Lyle D. Smith, Pastor Emeritus of the Pioneer Baptist Church of Norwalk, entered into Heaven on June 30, 2020, having served His LORD and Savior Jesus Christ for over fifty years as an outstanding pastor and evangelist. Born on September 4, 1934 to Ray and Gertrude Smith in Joplin, Missouri, Lyle is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Arlene; four children, Stanley and his wife Nancy, Karla and her husband Gerald, Rodney and his wife Cindy, and Darla and her husband Nestor. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, as well as his sister Coleen and brother Dale.

Lyle graduated from Webb City High School, Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College, and was awarded his doctorate from Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary. In his earlier adult years, he was “Officer Smith” as he served with the Anaheim Police Department, many of those as a “spit and polish motorcycle officer” and was the force’s Chaplain. Ministry wise, Dr. Smith successfully pastored several churches from Missouri to California, with his evangelistic work including ministries throughout the nation of South Korea. A highly accomplished biblical orator, Dr. Smith was also an outstanding singer, planter and builder of churches, and a down-to-earth humorist who related to his audiences with an endearing wit and charm. His “ministerial tree” has borne fruit galore, with pastors, evangelists, deacons, and unnumbered dedicated Christians bearing witness to his sincere and unshakable faith, all eternally solidifying his wonderful legacy for the LORD. He will be remembered with greatest love as the strongest of family men, both in his physical family and his spiritual family of God.

The Sunday morning service at Pioneer Baptist Church, 11717 Pioneer Boulevard, Norwalk, CA will include a special tribute to Dr. Smith’s life and ministry.