Richard Smith was born in Fort Valley, GA. where he graduated from Peach County High School. He went on to further his education at Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Middle Grade Education. During his time at Fort Valley, he was a member of the Wildcat football team and earned the Coaches M.V.P. Award and earning a spot on the SIAC Conference All-Academic Team during his senior season. 

Upon graduating, he began his career in education. Rev. Smith taught at several schools including Fort Valley Middle School, East Augusta Middle School, Langford Middle School, and A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School. He served in a wide variety of roles and some of the awards garnered during his career include serving on a team that received the Middle School Team of the Year Award at Fort Valley Middle School, the 2016-17 A.R. Johnson Teacher of the Year, and the 2020-2022 A.R. Johnson Teacher of the Year.

In 1996, Rev. Smith was called into ministry while a member of Saint Peter A.M.E. Church in Fort Valley, GA. Upon completion of a five-year course of study with the African Methodist Episcopal Church Board of Examiners, Rev. Smith received his final ordination in 2001. Rev. Smith served as the assistant pastor at Saint Phillip A.M.E. Church in Griffin, GA. and then served as the pastor of Gordan Chapel A.M.E. Church and Ross Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fort Valley, GA from 1999-2003, and Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Augusta, GA from 2003-2008. In 2008, Rev. Smith retired from the A.M.E. Church and started the Growing Faith Ministries where he served until 2018. During this time, he was baptized at Carey Hill Baptist Church by the late Rev. Clifford Williams.

In 2018, Rev. Smith began worshiping at the First Metropolitan Baptist Church and eventually joined in 2019. In 2020, he became an Associate Minister on staff under the leadership of the late Rev. Enoch Ward, Jr. In 2021 he became the Interim Pastor, and in 2023 he was elected as the next pastor of First Metropolitan. Pastor Smith graduated with a Master of Arts in Ministry degree from Luther Rice College and Seminary in Lithonia, GA. where he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree.

Rev. Smith is married to the former Ms. Valencia Orr, and they are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Avice, who is currently attending the University of Georgia.