H. Kendell Smith

H. Kendell Smith was born on August 16, 1933 to the late Charles “Shep” and Orita Smith in Smoaks, South Carolina. The family moved to Denmark, South Carolina, where the parents were farmers. Later his dad was Chief of Police in Denmark and his mother worked for the government at the Savannah River Bomb Plant.

Kendell graduated from Denmark High School in 1952. He attended Clemson University where he played football and Clemson has always been his team. His call to the music ministry was when he was a senior in high school. Kendell graduated from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS and the School of Sacred Music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Kendell was preceded in death by his siblings, Ellis F., Frankie and Landis.

He served Baptist churches for 45 years. He served at the following churches; First Baptist Church in Golden Meadow, LA; First Baptist Church in Poplarville, MS; First Baptist Church in Vicksburg, MS; First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS; First Baptist Church in Andersonville, SC; First Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL; and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. His tenure at HAB was for 15 years and he retired as Minister of Music Emeritus in 1998. Kendell and Sandy Sieg were married on April 25, 2009 in Lake City, FL.

Kendell is survived by his wife, Sandy Sieg-Smith; children, Hoyt, Ellis S. (Julie), Melanie and Tammi; and Sandy’s son, Gary Sieg. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

A graveside celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Little Swamp, South Carolina.