MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Seymour, Simmons (13th), Barnett, Blackwell, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Hill, Horhn, Jackson (11th), McCaughn, McLendon, Moran, Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER SENATOR AND SECRETARY OF THE SENATE GEORGE P. SMITH OF WIGGINS, HARRISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS CAREER OF PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, we join the residents of Mississippi Senate District 48 and state leaders in mourning the passing of former Mississippi State Senator and Secretary of the Senate George P. Smith, who served in Senate District 48 from 1980-1988 and Secretary of the Senate from 2000-2004. The 86-year-old passed away on August 22, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith was born on January 12, 1935, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to Hubert and Mildred Smith. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carol Smith; parents, Hubert and Mildred Smith; son, Mark Smith; and brother, Larry Smith; and
WHEREAS, George was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to everyone. He attended Gulfport High School and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Wiggins; and
WHEREAS, George enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served in Guam during the Korean War. Upon his return, he graduated from Perkinston College "MGCCC" and William Carey in Gulfport; and
WHEREAS, his entire life was dedicated to public service. George served as a Gulfport Motorcycle Police, Alcoholic Beverage Control Agent, Assistant Sheriff of Harrison County, State Senator, Harrison County Youth Court Administrator, Tourism Director for Harrison County and Tourism Director for the State of Mississippi. George retired from the Mississippi Department of Transportation in 2015 and then served as Alderman in Wiggins, Mississippi. He also served as a board member for the Pat Harrison Waterway District; and
WHEREAS, George loved playing all sports and was an avid outdoorsman and loved Ole Miss football. He lived a full life and lived it his way; and
WHEREAS, George is survived by his daughters, Susan Allen (Joey) and Julia Threadgill (Ricky); son, 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 many nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith felt honored to be a member of the State Legislature, where he truly enjoyed and took seriously the duties and responsibilities of serving the people. He loved and respected the body of the State Senate, its traditions, its procedures, and the camaraderie of the men and women with whom he worked in the Capitol, including his friend Lieutenant Governor Brad Dye. He formed lasting friendships there. George was a genuine man of strong principles and integrity who cared about doing the right thing and was very good at making government work to serve the needs of his community and the people of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi and friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature to the bereaved family of former Senator and Secretary of the Senate George P. Smith of Wiggins, Harrison County, Mississippi, and pay tribute to his career of public and charitable service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator and Secretary of the Senate George P. Smith, forwarded to the Board of Aldermen of Wiggins, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.