Rev. Dr. Debora Lawson Smith is a dedicated pastor, educator, counselor, and community leader with more than three decades of service in ministry and human services. A native of High Point, North Carolina, she is the eldest child of the late Sherman Lawson and Grace Marsh Haley. She is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver whose life and ministry are marked by compassion, service, and faith.

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Prior to entering full-time ministry, Dr. Smith served for over 30 years in the mental health and developmental disabilities field, working with Guilford County Mental Health Services and LifeSpan Services, Inc. Upon her retirement in February 2016, she devoted herself fully to pastoral ministry. Together with her husband, she also serves as a loving bonus parent to two young women with intellectual disabilities.

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Dr. Smith was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in May 2004 in the Second Episcopal District, Western North Carolina Conference, by the late Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She later completed a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling and Pastoral Care from Carolina Evangelical Seminary in High Point, North Carolina. In May 2022, she earned the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina.

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Throughout her ministerial career, Dr. Smith has faithfully served congregations across the Western North Carolina Conference. She pastored St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nebo, North Carolina, for seven years and Persimmon Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, for twelve years. She currently serves as the first female pastor of Turner’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, her home church.

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In addition to her pastoral responsibilities, Dr. Smith has held numerous leadership positions within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She has served as Assistant Coordinator of Women in Ministry for the Western North Carolina Conference and currently serves as Assistant Secretary of the Western North Carolina Conference. She is Chair of the Western District Community Development Corporation Board and an instructor for the Board of Examiners of the Western North Carolina Conference, where she helps prepare and mentor future clergy.

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Dr. Smith’s ministry is grounded in her commitment to spiritual growth, servant leadership, and compassionate care. Her favorite scripture, Matthew 11:28–30, reflects the heart of her ministry:

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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."