House Concurrent Resolution 15

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. GEORGE SMITH.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. George Smith, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast community lost a wonderful friend, loving husband and father and dedicated community leader with the passing of Mr. Smith, who was born on January 12, 1935, in Gulfport, to the late Hubert and Mildred Smith, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was a man of uncompromised faith and a member of First United Methodist Church in Wiggins, Mississippi, and he now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Gulfport High School, Mr. Smith joined an elite fraternity of seamen in the United States Navy in 1952, and he patriotically served his country in Guam during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, upon his return from the war, Mr. Smith attended Perkinston College, now Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he played football, and William Carey University in Gulfport, and upon his graduation, he selflessly dedicated his professional career and numerous years of illustrious public service and competent guidance to the people in his community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith has served as a Gulfport motorcycle policeman, an Alcohol Beverage Control agent, an assistant sheriff in Harrison County, a state senator, the Secretary of the Senate under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, the Harrison County Youth Court Administrator, Tourism Director for Harrison County and Tourism Director for the State of Mississippi, and he retired from the Mississippi Department of Transportation in 2015; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement, Mr. Smith continued his role of public service when he served as an alderman in Wiggins and as a board member for the Pat Harrison Waterway District, and in his spare time, Mr. Smith was an avid outdoorsman, loved watching Ole Miss football and truly enjoyed living a full life on his own terms; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George Smith was a strong, loving and compassionate husband, father, grandfather, confidante and friend who touched the lives of all those who crossed his sweet and charming path, and his warm hugs, positive energy, contagious laughter and bright smile will be forever cherished by his family, friends and others who knew him and experienced his greatness; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with those who transitioned before him, including his wife, Carol Smith, his parents, Hubert and Mildred Smith, his son, Mark Smith, and his brother, Larry Smith, the memory of Mr. Smith, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: children, Susan Allen (Joey), Julia Threadgill (Ricky) and Brian Cain (Chris); daughter-in-law, Angie Smith; brother, Richard Smith; grandchildren, Lauren Parker (Jonathan), Scarlett Bellot, Meghan Smith, Porter Smith, Carson Thrash (Taylor), Keith Cain, Connor Cain, Marissa Allen and Whitney Threadgill; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Smith fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. George Smith, a gracious man who loved his family, friends and community unconditionally and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of his heart and soul, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. George Smith, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. George Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.