Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

Sister Alice Faye Rankins Smith was born to the late Bertha and Jerry Rankins, Jr. on June 6, 1960 in
Shreveport, LA. She is the baby and only girl of 3 siblings. Alice was raised in a Godly home where she
inherited her love for people and ability to make them laugh. Alice has always had a way of making each
person feel special. She would always greet them with open arms and that "Alice" smile.
Alice gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, the apple of her eye, Nee Sonya, in 1978. She was a loving
mother and did the best she could to demonstrate that love to her daughter through support and
encouragement.
Alice described being "sent" to Harvest Temple COGIC in Bossier City, LA and her life being changed
forever by the ministry and development of Superintendent Ted Scott and First Lady Daisy Scott. Shortly
after, she married the love of her life, Johnny Ray Smith, on May 4, 1997.
Alice's value of education pushed her to obtain several certificates and degrees in various fields over the
years. Her work in the medical, counseling and culinary arenas suited her well as she was able to spread
love and hope to those in need through her experiences.
Alice and Johnny Ray moved to Arkansas in 2014. She was excited to find a welcoming church home,
Revelation COGIC in Carlisle, AR, where she continued to serve and was ministered the Word of God by
Pastor Harold D. Reed, Sr. Between Harvest Temple and Revelation, Alice worked in several departments
in the church. She was a member of the Choir, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the
Outreach/Missions Department and Hospitality (food ministry). She was very instrumental in planning
various events of the Women's Department, Pastor's Anniversary Committee and she worked with the
Youth Department. She was always excited to share the Word of God!
Throughout Alice's journey she faced a series of life events that gave her a great testimony. She was
never ashamed to share it every opportunity she had in hopes that someone would be strengthened and
motivated to give their life to Jesus Christ. Alice wrote these words on October 6, 2015, after reflecting
on how God completely changed her life,
"I want to encourage those of you who are struggling or have loved ones who are struggling to not give
up, because help is on the way and your deliverance is nigh. If He did it for me, He can do it for you.
All the glory belongs to GOD!"
Along with many other beautiful things, Alice will always be remembered for her comedic touch and her
thought-provoking writings and stage plays. Alice's legacy and amazing gift of writing will be continued
by her daughter, Nee Sonya.
Alice lived, loved, laughed and served others until the moment she was called home on Sunday, March
27, 2022. She was preceded in death by both parents, Bertha and Jerry Rankins, Jr.; her brother, Billy Ray
Lewis and special daughter, Jacquelyn Brown McGee.
She leaves to cherish her beautiful memories, her loving and devoted husband of nearly 25 years, Johnny
Ray Smith; daughter, Nee Sonya LaJuan Rankins; bonus daughter, LaBreeshyia Sanders; special
daughter, Ednina Thomas; grandchildren, Maria Johnson, Corinthian Johnson and Demetree "JuJu"
Brown, Jr.; brother, George Rankins, Jr. (Julia); and a host of other relatives and friends as well as her
beloved Harvest Temple COGIC and Revelation COGIC Families.