The Story of Reverend George F. Smith
THE SON
Reverend George Franklin, (GFP), Smith passed on October 15, 2020 at Elk River Health & Rehabilitation of Winchester, TN at age of 92 after a brief illness. Rev. Smith was born February 29, 1928 to the late Berry and Flora (Pitts) Smith in Decherd, Tennessee but celebrated his birth day on 2/28/28 due to leap year. He quoted in the High March, January 1978 article “I was born on a leap year…that’s why I’ve been jumping ever since.” Everyone who knew Rev. Smith knows he loved having fun! He is preceded in death by 15 siblings.
THE ACTIVIST
Graduating from Townsend high school in 1946, Rev. Smith joined the United States Army serving after WWII as a firefighter and received an honorable discharge on July 5th 1947. Upon Rev. Smith’s discharge he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal; the Medal for Service; the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. After returning to Franklin County from the Army he was employed at the Arnold Air Force Base and later became a fireman where he received multiple recognitions and certificates of achievements. He enjoyed cooking for his crew! Fireman George retired after 41 years of employment. Doing his time working at the Arnold Air Force Base Rev. Smith served as the Pastor for Concord Primitive Baptist Church in Howell TN, Halls Philippe Primitive Baptist Church in Shelbyville TN and Bethany Primitive Baptist Church in Mulberry TN. Rev. Smith served in this capacity for 54 years and was a faithful member at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Winchester, TN where he attended every Sunday as one of the oldest members. Rev. Smith was the Vice Moderator of the Primitive Baptist Association for many years. Even after retiring he never stayed still because he drove the school bus in Franklin County for years, continued to farm planting crops of soy beans and sweet potatoes in the garden every year (he loved getting up most mornings to cook his sweet potatoes, bacon, and pan cakes); even at the age of 86, he and Chester Stovall, Sr. cut wood to give to the elderly and to sell. Rev. Smith joined the Masonic Lodge Arunah #132 in 1953 and was in the Braden Chapter #105 Order Of Eastern Star, the Tullahoma Consistory #185 and was in the United Supreme Council as a Honorary 33rd Degree Mason which is the highest position one could achieve.
THE HUSBAND & FATHER
Reverend Smith is survived by his devoted wife for over 72 years, Annie Ophelia (Moore) Smith of Decherd, TN. One son preceded him in death, Dr. George W. (Toni) Smith of Murfreesboro, TN.; Jimmy R. Smith of Murfreesboro, TN; Daniel (Rochell) Smith and Janice (Henry) Kittrell of Smyrna, TN; Flora Robinson of Cleveland, OH; sister Estella Bailey of Tullahoma, TN; devoted sister-in-law Maudiette (Larry) Hollis of Atlanta, GA. Rev. Smith leaves a legacy of 16 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren; and many nephews & nieces.
HIS LEGACY
Reverend Smith was a true trailblazer. He was the only African American member of the Franklin County Ministerial Allowance in the 70’s; a civil rights activist where he helped form the Franklin County Community Association that honors academic students with the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship; the first African American Alderman for the Municipal Council for the city of Decherd TN. Rev. Smith and others made history when they fought alongside the late Avon Williams in getting the Franklin County courts to allow African American students to voluntarily attend school a year prior to forced integration. Out of the nine who attended, he was the first to send three of his children, where he proudly escorted his children on their first day of school in 1964, to Decherd Public Elementary Schools.
A walk through visitation will be held on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Watson-North Funeral Home from 12:00PM until 1:00PM. At the request of the family, please adhere to CDC Guidelines, wear a mask inside the funeral home, and keep a 6-feet distance. A private family funeral service and burial will be held at a later date.
