SMITH, HERALD LEONYDUS (20 April 1909-20 July 1992), printer, pastor, and organist, edited and published The Herald (1959-80) for members of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination and served as assistant minister at ST. JOHN'S AME (AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL) CHURCH (1957-1962) and pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Cleveland (1962-67).
Smith and his wife attended the 1977 inauguration of U. S. President Jimmy Carter, after receiving a VIP invitation. The enterprising editor seized the opportunity to interview King Hussein of Jordan while the monarch was a patient at the CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION.
Smith was born in Smithville, OH, and graduated from Smithfield High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Wilberforce University in 1945 and a decade later received a doctor of divinity degree in Monrovia, West Africa. In addition, he studied at Payne Theological Seminary and at Akron and Ohio State universities. Smith served churches in Ironton and Cincinnati, OH, before coming to St. John's. He headed building campaigns for 2 churches, Quinn and the Greater St. Matthew AME Church, Lorain, (1967-71), his last pastorate. Smith presided over the AME Ministers Fellowship (1971-80) and served as chief secretary for state and regional AME conferences. From 1978-80 he played the organ at the Cleveland Clinic's chapel. Smith also served as eulogist for both the BOYD and the HOUSE OF WILLS funeral homes.
Smith married Dorothy I. Mcclinton; they lived in Cleveland with sons Herald, Verl, and David, and daughter Rosalie Jackson.