Honorary Sr. Deacon George B. Smith age 76 of Lakeland, FL and formerly of Malone, FL passed away Wednesday April 24, 2024, at Bartow Regional Medical Center in Bartow, FL surrounded by his loving wife Anna Ruth and his youngest daughter, Erica Montgomery.
Funeral services will be held 11a.m. Saturday May 4, 2024 at McChapel A.M.E. Church located 4963 Old US Road Marianna, FL with Reverend Christopher Jordan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Mckinnie Funeral Home of Campbellton, FL directing. The family will received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday May 3, 2024 at the Shira Sr. and Chelcie Memorial Chapel at the funeral home. He was born on August 17, 1947 in Jackson County, Malone, Florida to Gladys Smith and Trexie Collins. He was the third born of eleven children.
He grew up in Malone, Florida and graduated from Union Grove High School in 1965. One year later, on March 18, 1966, George B. Smith and Anna Ruth King were joined in matrimony. From this 58 year union, four children were born:
In April 1966, the couple moved their family to Polk County, Florida. In 1968, he joined the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob, Incorporated and served faithfully as the Senior Deacon for approximately 30 plus years. In his role as the Sr. Deacon, he took pride in making sure the doors of the church were open and ready for the services of the day. In 1977, the couple purchased their home in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida where they currently resided together until his passing.
Throughout the years he was a cross-country commercial truck driver until his retirement. His hobbies were wild game hunting, barbequing, watching western shows, and spending time with family. He was a jovial man who enjoyed conversations about sports, boxing, and wrestling. He enjoyed using his camcorder to record memories of family and church gatherings. His barbeque was always a favorite and a treat that friends and family looked forward to. He was known to never need a microphone when speaking passionately about topics that excited him. He was always willing to do for others before himself. In his later years, his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Waymond L. Smith, Elvie L. Davis, William C. Smith, John Smith, and Bessie Smith. A granddaughter, Ciera C. Smith. Two great-grandchildren, Ryan L. Johnson Jr and Kameron Montgomery. A niece, Stephanie Zandra Granberry.
Honorary Sr. Deacon George leaves treasured memories with his loving wife, Anna Ruth and four children: Carlos Smith of Orlando, FL, Jeney (Caleb) Montgomery of Lakeland, FL Rachel (Dexter) Rogers of Lakeland, FLand Erica (Abinadab) Montgomery of Haines City, FL.
He will be lovingly remembered by his 6 siblings: Essie V. Smith of Mulberry, FL; Raymond C. (Mary) Smith, Malone, FL; Arthur Lee (Lisa) Smith of Basom, FL; Nellie M. (George) Martinez of Lynn Haven, FL; Phillip C. (Ethel) Smith of Gordon, AL; Carol A. (Reginald) Britt of Cambellton, FL. A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
