ABERDEEN, Wash. -- Ronald L. "Bishop" Smith was born Nov. 9, 1943, in Cape Girardeau. God took him home to his reward at the age of 77 on Sept. 11, 2021, after fighting a battle with cancer.

His faith never wavered, and his words were always, "God is so good." He was surrounded by his wife and five children at the time of his death in Aberdeen.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1961.

Ron married Joyce Arnold on May 9, 1964, in St. Louis. She resides at the family home in Hoquiam, Washington.

They moved to Washington in 1975 and then to Grays Harbor County, Washington, where he pastored until his semi-retirement in 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Smith, and their five children, Sheralyn Tysdal of Burien, Washington, Keralyn King of Napa, California, Ron Smith Jr. of Lakewood, Washington, Jodi Baron of Aberdeen and Justin Smith of Orting, Washington. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Immanuel Baptist Church at 1200 Soule Ave. in Hoquiam. Graveside service will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Hoquiam.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell's Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.

A message of condolence or of a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.