Reverend Patricia “Patty” Ann Surratt-Smith is a native of Shelby, North Carolina and was elected in New Orleans at the 30th WH&OMS Quadrennial as the 2nd Vice President. She is the first-born child of five to Mrs. Ruby Ann Abraham-Surratt who also resides in Shelby, NC and the late Sgt. Robert E.L. Surratt. She loves her siblings Dee, Daniel, Stoney, and Sharon. Reverend Patty is married to the love of her life The Reverend Gary W. Smith who is a lifelong member of the A.M.E.Z Church. Presently, Reverend Gary serves as the Pastor of Metropolitan A.M.E.Z Church in Spartanburg, SC. Reverend Patty is grateful to serve as the Leading Lady by her husband’s side. They are faithful members of the A.M.E.Z Church-Palmetto Annual Conference-Spartanburg District-South Atlantic Episcopal District. They have two beautiful adult daughters Aftan Cierra and Amber Cherish Smith. The fur friends in the family are Miley and Rodney respectively. Family is so important to Reverend Patty! She has served the A.M.E.Z Church as the International President of the Ministers’ Spouses & Widows(ers) Fellowship from 2010-2014 and 2022-2023. Prior to being ordained as a Deacon in the church, she served as a deaconess in the local church, WH&OMS Parent Body President, Director of Women’s Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Administrative Assistant to her husband to name a few positions. Presently on the Spartanburg District, she is very active as the WH&OMS District President, Conference Evangelist, and Secretary for her Presiding Elder. Patty (as she is affectionately called) is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte, where she received her undergraduate degree in Human Development & Learning; Gardner Webb University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education; and Converse College, where she received her Ed.S in Administration & Curriculum Leadership. Currently, she is employed as an Instructional Coach with the Cherokee County Schools System in South Carolina, where she is recognized at her local school as the first African American Instructional Coach. She was recognized in 2022 as one of the recipients in the school district as a Distinguished Literacy Teacher. She loves the Lord and enjoys serving her community. She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc -Shelby Alumnae Chapter- and is the Immediate Past Chapter President. She has chaired many committees and served in various offices in the chapter. Also, Patty is the Vice President for Delta Kappa Gamma-Delta Tau Chapter, an education organization that supports beginning, current, and retired teachers. She is a member of NAACP and the proud founder of the Recording Artist Quartet Gospel Singing Group-The Keys of Harmony. Her favorite scripture is: 2 Corinthians 5:7: “We walk by faith, not by sight.”