A Journey of Life & Love
Chilean McCoy Smith, Jr

   Chilean McCoy Smith, Jr., affectionately Know as “Coy,” was born to Elder Chilean McCoy Smith, Sr. and Evangelist Bessie D Smith on Sunday, November 15, 1970 at Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD. He became “ev’rybody’s baby,” and continued (as) the same until his transition to his heavenly home on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 6:50 AM at Union Memorial Hospital.
   Coy bore his “thorn in the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) and actually came to a quiet repose with confidence after at regular day of visitation and prayer with the family. He was serious about his preparation to meet his God. He was reared in the city, with his sparring partner and brother, Chandler, in a God-loving home and loved the “country-linians” (North Carolinians) where his parents grew up.
  Formal schooling included Zion Pre-School, Gregory Memorial Kindergarten, Northwood Elementary Tabernacle Christian School, and Northern High School from which he graduated. After enrolling in the Community College of Baltimore to study music, Coy expressed that God’s gifting of music to him satisfied him just fine.
Coy attended the Sweet Hope F.W. Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD and, with child-like faith, he came “boldly to the throne of grace” at the tender age of six years old, as the late Bishop John T Crummedy extended an invitation to discipleship. Although he had tried to join many times before, this time he pushed passed his mother to go forth. Sis Diana Logan encouraged his mother to let him join by saying, “Let him go!”
  Coy became involved in Sunday School, the Children’s Ban, the Young Missionary Circle, the Youth Choir, the Boy Scouts, the Baseball League, the Young People’s Congress of the Progressive F. W. Baptist Conference and many other youth activities evidenced his works of youthful faith. His involvement with these activities, along with discipline and prayer, helped to shape his character.
   When he was heard tapping out a song on the piano in the wee, wee hours of the night, his parents knew that he had a definite “flickering” interest in music and just knew that “that boy is gonna play one day.” The flicker was nurtured by his mother and Butch Jenkins (Pastor Tommie L. Jenkins, Jr) of St. John (C.C.Church) as young people “banged” and played, especially after service. He was influenced by Pastor Eric Scott, the late Brother Rossi Grant, the late Brother George Connor, Sister Mary Brown (piano teacher) and many other musicians as he watched and played and watched and played until the flicker turned into an unquenchable fire. His first experience as a Church musician scared him when Trustee Nathan Cromwell of Sweet Hope said to him, “Well, Coy – We need you to take from here” following the passing of the current musician. His first accomplished gospel selections were “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” and “God Never Fails.” He looked to his mother to assist him with learning the hymns.
   A whirlwind of passion, persistency and perseverance in every style of church and classical music evolved into a “double portion music ministry.” From drumming to keyboarding (the piano, the keyboard and, his favorite, the organ), the Lord empowered and as he grew spiritually, his music truly transcended from “my music” to the Lord’s ministry of music.
In addition, to the musical services for which he was compensated, Coy’s employment included: Medical Records for V.A., Howard Johnson, Popeye’s Restaurant, Factory Distribution of Timonium, Target Department Store and All Saints Catholic School.
   “There shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
In March 1996, Coy met the woman who would become the love of his life, Miss Michelle Yarborough. The two became fast friends and this friendship developed into romance. Coy realized that Michelle, hand-picked by God, was his soul mate and the rib that made him compete. He understood that a man findeth a wife, findeth a good thing (Proverbs 18:22) and she was his “good thing.” So, on August 23, 1997, Coy and Michelle stood before the Lord, family and friends to declare “for better or for worse.” From this union was born Ashlyne, Jordan, and Joshua.
   The relationship continued to develop spiritually as well as physically. The two worked side-by-side and hard in ministry. Together, they invoked worship to create a change in the atmosphere and a change in the body of Christ. They didn’t want to do this with words alone but, also with actions. They truly believed in leading by example.
   Coy answered the call to preach the Gospel and delivered his initial sermon on Sunday, November 19, 1995 by preaching “Have You Been Caught By A Whale?” He was licensed in 1996 and attended Greater New Hop Bible College. He was ordained on December 16, 2001 by the Progressive F. W. Baptist Conference. He accepted and announced hi call to the Pastoral ministry which led him to found His Way Ministries which was consecrated on Sunday, January 6, 2002 at 6806 Millbrook Park Drive, Baltimore, MD. The church motto was “A People That Are Committed To The Will and the Way of Jesus Christ” based on John 14:6. A break Pastoral ministry during the recuperation never dampened his commitment to his pastoral calling.
  Coy whole-heartedly served the Lord. Not only did he preach and play but he led worship services, conducted workshops, composed songs, taught and mentored. He shared his ministry with many, including: Sweet Hope F.W. Baptist Church, United Male Chorus of Baltimore, Men United Choir, Simmons Memorial Baptist Church, Progressive F.W. Baptist Church, St. Paul F. W. Baptist Church, Emmanuel F. W. Baptist Church, City-Wide Youth Mass Choir, Woodlawn Gospel Choir, Shiloh Baptist Church of Baltimore County, Good Hope Baptist Church, Dunn Family Choir, St. Abraham’s Baptist Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Hampton Minister’s Conference, Hampton, VA, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Alabaster Ministries, New Hope Baptist Church, Greater New Hope Baptist Church, Greater Harvest Baptist Church, God’s Sound Recording Project, R. J. Washington and Perfected Praise, Brown’s Memorial Baptist Church, Roland Park Country School/Boy’s Latin Choir, and numerous musical recording projects.
   He was received a number of honorariums and awards including an honor from the Maryland Gospel Workshop but was most honored to mentor, Minister Lloyd Brooks, Brother Brent Brown and others in music and Minister-In-Training Tavon Newkirk and others in ministry.
   Putting on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness at his transitioning are: his beautiful wife, Michelle; three anointed vessels, Ashlyne, Jordan, Joshua; caring parents, Elder Chilean M. Smith and Evangelist Bessie D Smith; brother, Chandler E. Smith; very special son, Brent Brown; three sisters-in-law, Elder Phyllis Artis, Robin Coleman, Barbara Dargan; brother-in-law, Peter Dargan; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles; godchildren, Aleshia Vines, Je’nol Frongberg; godfather, William B. Curtis; spiritual father, Pastor Duane V Simmons; special friends, Pastor Damion Hinton, Michael Blue, Minister Damien Wilson, Minster Andre Wilson, Pastor Eric Scott; several godmothers and a host of cousins, and other relatives and friends.