Robert Leonard Smith, 90, a one-time pastor in Pine Bluff, died Sept. 29, in Brownwood, Texas.
Smith pastored numerous churches across his long career. They included First Baptist Church in Crossett, Ark., the First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, where he served from 1957 to 1965 and where one of his services was broadcast on television; First Baptist Church of Houston, Texas, where his weekly TV show, “The Art of Living,” was widely viewed and received high ratings on station KHOU; and a pastorate in Pompano Beach, Fla.
He was later called by Howard Payne University to become distinguished professor of preaching.
Later he was named Dean of the School of Christian Studies.
Smith was a commercial artist before he was called to preach, and he combined the two by preaching and creating “Sermons in Art,” which were chalk illustrations of Bible messages.
Survivors include his wife, Ethelyn Hughes Smith; his son, Robert Leonard Smith, Jr.; and his daughter, Judy Smith George.
Arrangements were by Davis-Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood.