The Smith-Mims Connection

SMITH FAMILY STORIES

The Rev. Fleming Carlisle Smith
& Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson

1902 - 1997

The Rev. Fleming Carlisle Smith and Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson

Fleming Carlisle Smith, the son of Whiteford Fleming Smith and Rosa Baine Thornton, was born on March 1, 1902 in Marion County, South Carolina. Early in life he worked in vaudeville in New York City, NY. Carlisle Smith graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina (1921-1923) and attended Combs Conservatory (1923-1924). He later became a Methodist minister in the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. He was the one in the family with the most out-going personality, giving out "bear hugs" to nieces and nephews - among others. Everybody in the South Carolina Methodist Conference seemed to know The Rev. Carlisle Smith. After his wife died, Fleming Carlisle Smith lived for awhile at the Methodist Oaks in Orangeburg, South Carolina - a retirement home/nursing home owned by the South Carolina Methodist Conference. He moved back to Mullins, South Carolina before he died in the Mullins hospital on March 20, 1994.

Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson, the daughter of John Elmore Harrelson and Sydney Huggins, was born on April 22, 1903 in Marion County, South Carolina. She was a gracious lady who always welcomed family and friends into their home. Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson's personality provided a good balance/contrast with that of her husband, Fleming Carlisle Smith. Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson Smith died on December 4, 1987 in Mullins, Marion County, South Carolina. They are both buried in the cemetery at Miller's United Methodist Church near Mullins.

The family of The Rev. Fleming Carlisle Smith and Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson

After his retirement as a United Methodist minister, Carlisle and Nancy Smith lived in the Smith family home - named Whiteford Hall. My assumption is that Whiteford Hall was originally the home of Stephen Whiteford and Ella Boatright Smith. Whiteford Hall has been passed on to one of their daughters.

Fleming Carlisle Smith and Nancy Elizabeth Harrelson were married on September 3, 1924 in Mullins, South Carolina. They had three (3) children:

  1. 1st daughter (living)
  2. The Rev. Stephen Carlisle Smith Sr. (1926-1967)
  3. 2nd daughter (living)

Appointments served by The Rev. Fleming Carlisle Smith in the South Carolina Methodist Conference (later the SC United Methodist Conference)

These are his appointments and dates, along with the dates of his journey toward becoming an elder in full connection - as listed in "United Methodist Ministers in South Carolina" (Bicentennial Edition, 1985):

  • 1932 Licensed to preach
  • 1934 Ordained deacon
  • 1936 Ordained elder
  • 1936 Received into full connection
  • 1923-1934 Marion Circuit
  • 1934-1935 South Aynor
  • 1935-1939 Columbia Circuit
  • 1939-1941 Hampton
  • 1941-1944 Summerton
  • 1944-1948 Cherokee Place Methodist Church, Charleston, SC
  • 1948-1952 North Augusta
  • 1952-1957 Asbury Memorial Methodist Church, Charleston, SC
  • 1957-1961 Wesley Methodist Church, Hartsville, SC
  • 1961-1965 Bethel Methodist Church, Chester, SC
  • 1965-1967 Aldersgate Methodist Church, Charleston, SC
  • 1967 Retired
  • 1968 Supply pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Mullins, SC
  • 1969 Loris
  • 1969-1974 Floydale
  • 1974-1977 New Good Hope
  • 1977-1981 Centenary-Central Circuit
  • The Rev. Fleming Carlisle Smith served on the following committees in the South Carolina Methodist/United Methodist Conference:
  • Trustee - Epworth Children's Home
  • Columbia College
  • South Carolina Methodist Advocate
  • Journal & Yearbook Committee
  • Board of Admissions
  • Board of Evangelism
  • District Representative - South Carolina United Methodist Advocate

Other dates listed:

  • 1925 Redpath Chautauqua
  • 1956-1927 Dunbar's Collegians, New York