Harold Smith

Harold “Polly” Smith was born on August 6, 1936, to Harold and Audrey Smith. By the age of two, he experienced seizures, and doctors could do nothing for him. His family took him to a church meeting, where a man of God prayed, and God miraculously healed him. A few years later, he contracted polio and nearly died. God healed him again, though the illness left a lasting mark that slightly twisted his mouth for the rest of his life.

As a child, Harold faced challenges at home. His father would take him to nightclubs, and he was given alcohol at a young age. Family members also teased him for mimicking others, earning him the nickname “Polly,” which stayed with him throughout his life.

In eighth grade, Harold began boxing in Crowley, Louisiana. Over his amateur career, he fought 89 matches, losing only two with one draw and achieving 48 knockouts. He won the Louisiana state championship two years in a row. Despite his success, Harold felt something was missing in his life. One night, after a victory, he walked the streets in tears, shaking his fist toward heaven, and asked, “There has to be more to life than this.”

Harold received a boxing scholarship to the University of Houston but left after one semester. He planned to go pro, but God intervened. On the night before signing his professional contract, family members invited him to church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. There, after hearing Brother T.E. Ewing preach, Harold went to the altar and was gloriously filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Soon after, he felt called to ministry.

Harold began evangelizing across Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Around 1958, tragedy struck when his mother passed away. About a year later, during a revival in Millington, Tennessee, Harold met Julia Faye Simpson. They married and traveled together, evangelizing and raising five children.

In 1968, Harold established the first United Pentecostal Church in Chalmette, Louisiana. Over the years, he pastored in Starkville, Mississippi, Vardaman, Mississippi, Asheville, North Carolina, Millington, Tennessee, Wesson, Mississippi, Victoria, Mississippi, Bruce, Mississippi, and finally Marks, Mississippi, where he served from 1991 until his death. His ministry saw his children receive the Holy Ghost at an early age, and countless lives were touched through his preaching.

Harold and Julia celebrated 52 years of marriage before she passed away in March 2011. In June 2012, tragedy struck again with the loss of his eldest daughter. Despite these trials, Harold continued faithfully in ministry.

In March 2014, after 57 years of evangelizing and pastoring, Harold went home to be with the Lord. Two weeks into his final illness, he received word from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame that he would be inducted for his contributions to boxing. Reflecting on his life, he told his family, “It’s a great honor, but I would rather be inducted into heaven’s Hall of Fame.” Four weeks later, he received his heavenly induction.

Harold “Polly” Smith left a remarkable legacy: countless lives healed, souls saved, and families transformed through his faith, preaching, and evangelism. His life stands as a testimony to God’s power and grace—a legacy of service, perseverance, and unwavering faith.