Velzie Smith

Age: 84

Summary: ordained minister of the Israelite Divine Spiritual Church of New Orleans, which highlighted instrumental changes occurring during Spiritualist movement of New Orleans during the 1940's through the early 1950's and had become a national organization with churches in Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, and Michigan under the leadership of its founder Archbishop Ernest J. Johnson.

Cause of Death: Natural causes due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Born: January 4, 1921

Died: September 29, 2005

Location: Gilmer, Texas