Harold Barton (Bart) Smith

Rock Hill, SC - Pastor Harold Barton (BART) Smith went to be the Lord on August 9, 2025, at the age of 56. He was born June 17, 1969.

Memorial Service will be 4:00 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Whitesell Funeral Home, 975 Riverview Road, Rock Hill, SC with the Revs. Stephen Braswell and C.T. Kirk. The family will receive friends following the service.

Bart was born in Greenville SC and moved to Rock Hill SC when he was 3 years old. He attended Rock Hill High School where he was part of the ROTC program. He attended Liberty University where he studied Ministry.

He was preceded in death by his patents Harold Barton Smith Jr and Elizabeth Ann Anderson Smith, His Uncle Max Reid Anderson and both sets of grandparents.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Sanders-Smith; daughter, Melanie Jo Trammell (Conley) of Union, SC: son, Richard Beckham (Melissa) of Chester SC; sister, Sabrina L Smith of Charlotte NC, daughters, Marie Jordan (Brandon) of Rock Hill, SC,;Noel Harnish (James), Stepson: Frankie Sanders (Brittany) of Rock Hill, SC; grandchildren Raylin Starr Beckham, Rose Lynn and Gregory “Rhett” Harnish, Brielly Whiting, Tinsley and Camden Sanders

Bart had a dark past but by the grace of God he was washed in the Blood of Jesus and became a man whose love for God became his life mission. Bart was a Jack of all trades but master of none: He was a York County Deputy, a referee for wrestling, a security guard, call center employee, and finally a Pastor, where he served many churches as Pastor or Assistant Pastor (Calvary Baptist in Jefferson, SC and Woodvale Baptist, SOLO, and Amazing Grace in Rock Hill, SC). He loved to sing and was a member of a quartet at one time. He loved to harmonize with his twin daughters on old gospel songs. Bart was totally blind in his last days but he continued to sing and his favorite pastime was fighting with his automated electronic “Alexia”. He would spend hours making a play list then forget the name.

Bart lived on the Catawba Indian Reservation with his wife. He would say he was a white man among the Natives. He loved and supported his wife as she was a member of the Women of the River Drum Group. He loved to hear her singing.

Bart was defined by his Love of John Wayne and Mello Yellow. He was a cowboy at heart. So when we decorated our house for every Native American item I added he had to have something John Wayne. Howdy was his greeting.

He loved to have his grandchildren Camden, Tinsley and Brielly over because they helped take care of him after school and during summer break. They would take him for a walk or help him to the bathroom, so he did not run into walls.

Bart, who claimed to not like dogs, loved and counted on his support animal Dollie and Boo his cat, along with additional help from Gabriel (Mother in laws ESA Dog).

The family would like to specially thank Shannon Totherow and Allegra Payne Thomas who helped take good care of him after coming home from hospital.

In lieu of flowers donations to Catawba Indian Nation Children and Teen Center are requested.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.