Committal
Bishop John Smiley, 51 of Drexel, NC passed away, Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Born on July 24, 1973, he was the son of the late Donald Smiley and Mary Ruth Goss. John was the founder and Pastor of Souls Harvest Ministries, where he labored many years in the gospel, reaching out into the community, leading many to Christ. John was currently a member at New Hope in Christ Church. He loved the Lord and dedicated in his walk in Christ. John was a people person and loved his family very much, he had a passion for helping others. He also loved sharing the Word of the Lord with other churches and instilling himself in other churches. John was a jokester and loved to make people laugh.
John is survived by his daughters, Melea Smiley Harrison (Brad), Brittney Smiley (Dỹlan Conley); grandchildren, Grayson, Shay, Londyn; siblings, Sherry Goss Cunningham (Mike), Donnie Goss (Vickie), Otela Flanders (Greg); Dahelin Goss, Makeyla Goss; number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and his loving k-9 companion, Cricket.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Alexander Baldwin Goss; nephew Brayden Dennis; several aunts and uncles.
The family will receive friends from 4pm until 5pm, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Sossoman Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will follow in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home at 5pm.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
Leave a tribute for Bishop John Smiley.
Family I was truly heartbroken and sad to hear of “Smiley’s” passing. I met him years ago when he sold me a car. I don’t know if I got the car to get him to hush or because I liked the car! We often laughed about that when we saw each other. But I was also privileged to be in several of his services, oh how he let God use him!, a mighty move of God! He was also a good friend, he always had a smile when we met. He loved cricket! He was my neighbor for a little while and I would hear him yell (CRICKET COME HERE}! He would a lot of times be with me or my daughter or granddaughter trying to get attention, Smiley would say cricket leave then alone!! He will truly be missed. You all have my deepest condolences, and you all will be continued to be lifted in my prayers. May God truly give you the peace that surpasses all others.
Daddy, this takes my breath away trying to even type out these words, I feel sick to my stomach and my body numb. I can't even begin to tell you the countless times within the last few days where I've said " I need to call Dad" or, "Let me call daddy and see what he says". I will never forget the horrid day I got the news you left me alone, I threw my phone screaming at the top of my lungs as I hit the floor begging God to not be so. But then I called your phone over and over and sent text after text to be left only with silence. I know your pain free and surrounded by so many loved ones and you aren't alone or hurting and for that I am thankful, but I now carry everything feeling you left behind. Watch over me my sweet sweet daddy as I try to navigate life without the most incredible important man in my life. I am unsure of how a "Daddy's girl" is supposed to live without her daddy but I suppose I'll try to find the way. Until we meet again, my hero, fly High and keep me a seat warm. I love you forever and always, to the moon and back forever and a day! ❤️🩹❤️🩹
Wow! It still seems so unreal and yet I should be rejoicing cause God has one more added to his army in heaven now, but I can't help but be a little selfish wanting to see that smile and hear that laugh one more time my friend. Since kindergarten we have shared a lifetime of laughs, jokes, tears, and deep conversations. So glad you reached out to me in the past months and we had some "good talks" , that will forever stay with me and comfort in knowing you were saved and born again just 4 days before your heavenly graduation 🙌🙌. As for Melea Brittney O'Tela Donnie and Sherrie I pray for all of you in the days ahead 🙏 Not good ye just See ya Soon !
I am so so sorry to hear this news. John was my sales manager at Brookdale Hickory Northeast when I was the administrator and we became great friends. We stayed in touch all these years and I just talked to him a couple months ago. I am so sorry for your loss and praying for strength for your family....
We send our deepest condolences to the family of Bishop John Smiley. May his soul rest in peace with our Savior Jesus Christ.
So sorry for the lost .I enjoy listening to John preach .I am lost for words my prayers to the family .he will be miss so much .I enjoyed cutting his hair back in the day. He loved to joke .then he would say he was just picking . God bless u and spending ur time with God.
To Melea, Brittney and all the family, I pray God's comfort and peace during this season of your lives. I will miss John dearly. I will miss my telephone calls with him and his Godly advice. I loved him and he was my Pastor and always will be my Pastor. I love all of you. God Bless you!
Ole John, God Has Truly Truly Taken A man OF GOD Home. Sherrie,Donnie, Othela, & Kid's I'm So Sorry For The Families Loss. You Know Sherrie, & Donnie, When I WAS 19yrs old An John Use To Go To Church With Me Over at Shady Grove Baptist AN To A little Church Over In Cazar, NC. Off Hwy 18 south. When We would Go to Shady Grove AT THAT TIME in our Lives We Had A pretty good size teenage Sunday School Class an moved it up stares in the Church Part. We had 19 teenagers in class And 15 Of Us Sang In The Teenage Choir. I Am Not Only Glad But I Am Pivledged To Have Had A 13 Yrs Old Young Man Named John Smiley As A Friend for Over 38 Yrs. From The Old Fourway Grill Off Hwy 18 TO A Church Off OF Sugarloaf Road. To Later On In His Life's Journey To Becoming A Bishop . R.I.P. My Brother IN Christ. I WILL FOREVER CHERISH OUR TIME'S OF TEARS SWEET AN MOST CHERISHED OUR FRIENDSHIP. LOVE YA JOHN TIL WE MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE MY BROTHER. YOUR FRIEND. BRIAN KEITH PROPST ANGEL AKA THE *WHITE ANGEL*