HUNDREDS last Monday turned out for a moving send-off at the Central Assembly of God Church at Church and East Streets, Georgetown. There they bade an emotional farewell to veteran pastor Tessa Audrey Pamela Smith, who departed this life on September 1, 2017, in the United States of America, following a period of illness.

Pastor Smith, sister of Bishop John Oswald Smith, of the Central Assembly of God Church, Pastor Lynette Smith and others, and who for the greater part of her adult life had been a pastor at that same church, was accorded a hero’s farewell at a Home-Going Service for her life at what is considered home turf.

The service attracted persons from all walks of life, including other pastoral leaders from the Assemblies of God Churches in Guyana. Following the service, her body was interred at Le Repentir Cemetery.
She was labelled “a rare and precious gem who lived a life of selfless service to God and impacted the lives of literally tens of thousands within the Christian Church and in other myriad settings.”

As a pastor, Sunday school teacher, healthcare provider and counsellor, her death has left the church in shock and deep mourning.

Among those offering tributes were: The Central Assembly of God Church, Assemblies of God in Guyana and National Sunday School Department. From overseas: Papau New Guinea, USA, Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean; Billion Souls; CED/Bible College; CFAGE Sunday School as well as local pastors and other relatives and friends.

Pastor Smith was described as an anointed servant of God, who would be remembered for many good things. She was labelled as one who lived an exemplary and prayerful life — a woman who prayed unceasingly and whose prayers wrought good things. And even in her final hours, her exhortation was that the work of the Lord must continue and that He must be magnified.

Pastor Tessa who was never married, had no children of her own, but she was a mentor, counsellor, confidante, and a spiritual mother to those on whose lives she has left an indelible mark.

She was a great planner and was seen as the consummate organiser with intrinsic skills which she rolled out almost effortlessly.
The eulogy was read by Sister Joy Alleyne.