Fort Worth theologian Budd Smith dies at 80

William Alpha "Budd" Smith died Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at age 80 in Fort Worth. He was born June 20, 1946, in Middleburg, Kentucky, to Narine and Abner Smith.

Smith spent a career in theological education. From 1979 to 2003, he served as Professor of Foundations of Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He later joined B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary as a Senior Fellow of Ministry and Formation from 2003 to 2016, helping to establish the institution for ministry training.

A longtime member of Gambrell Street Baptist Church, Smith taught adult Sunday School for many years. He also participated in the Oxford Study program, which included travel to Europe. He frequently took seminary students on study abroad trips to England, combining his interests in history, faith, and fellowship.

The family will hold funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at Gambrell Street Baptist Church, 1616 W. Gambrell Street, Fort Worth. Friends may meet the family at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. before the service. Interment will take place at Laurel Land Memorial Park.

Smith is survived by his wife, Cloe Smith; his son, Todd Smith, and Todd's wife, Jennifer; and his grandchildren, Braylon and Briggston Smith. He is also survived by his niece and nephews, Greg Williams, Jamie Jo Williams, and Jeff Williams and his wife, Lori.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Narine and Abner Smith, and his granddaughter, Brinsley Michelle Smith. Memorial contributions can be made to the Marsh Institute for Chaplains in care of Dr. Jim Browning at P.O. Box 2, Floresville, TX 78114, or online at marshinstitute.org/donate.