Carl W. Smethers

Carl W. Smethers passed to eternal life on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the age of 56. Carl chose a nontraditional lifestyle, living outside most of the last ten years and struggling with addiction and mental illness. He paid his debt to society for other choices he made in the past. But, those of us who knew him or served him in our ministries got to know the warmth of his heart behind his harsh and tremendous emotional suffering. Carl was one of those invisible people most of the day. Homeless, but still a person. A 'who', and not a 'what', in God's world. Carl loved "My Man" as he put it, grasping the cross on a cord that he always wore around his neck. He made friends on the street and had many street sisters and brothers who look out for each other, helping them keep in touch and stay safe and get what they need to survive. Carl would give what little he had to someone else in need. One minister who knew Carl mentioned that Carl made us all better people. She was right, and that is for all those who knew him, helped him, ministered to him, and healed his injuries. How can we not? Mother Teresa taught us that "Jesus is dressed in the disguise of the poor", those deeply afflicted in poverty and ability. So, as we ministered to Carl, Jesus was ministering to us. As we changed Carl's cold socks and wet shoes, Jesus warmed our humanity. As we fed Carl a warm meal, Jesus was feeding our hearts. As we helped Carl heal his wounds, Jesus healed our defects of body, mind and soul. As we loved him, Jesus was filling us with his love. How can we not be made better people? Carl is predeceased by his daughter, Carla, his parents, Fred Smethers and Ida Gash, and two brothers, Greg Black and Robert Smethers. He is survived by his sister, Denise Yeager, brothers, Gary Smethers, Brian Smethers, and Owen Black III, as well as many street sisters and brothers. Burial of Carl's cremated remains will take place at a private graveside service.