George Robert Smith, 76, of Shaw, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at South Sunflower County Hospital with his loving family by his side.
George was born April 19, 1941 in Blackhawk, to John J. and Gladys Winters Smith. He was a Mississippi Army National Guard Veteran having served at the 158 Signal Company in Greenville as a Staff Sergeant. George worked for Mid Delta Metal Works as a gin repairman for 52 years until his retirement in 2016. He was a member of Linn Baptist Church. George was a lifetime member of the Indianola Masonic Lodge #450. He also was a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge #470 and the T.J. Catchings Lodge #394. He served as past Master of all three lodges, was the District Deputy Grand Lecturer of District #11, and a member of the Delta Commandary #16.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Marion Thomas “Popcorn” Smith, John Breland Smith, and Joseph Eugene Smith.
George is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diane Smith; three children, Missy Jones and husband Danny of Carrollton, Mike Smith of Horn Lake, and Chris Smith and wife Donna of Richland; five stepchildren, Denny Gardner and wife Julie of Ridge Farm, Ill., Tom Gardner of Ridge Farm, Ill., A.J. Todd and wife Becky of Evening Shade, Ark., Allen Harrell, and Denise Singer; two brothers, Curtis Smith and wife Joyce of Shaw, and Billy Joe Smith of Indianola; three sisters, Janice Green of Indianola, Laverne Ammons of Colorado, and Betty Nelson and husband Steve of Orange Grove; 21 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. Funeral services will be today at 2 p.m. at Burton Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Linn Baptist Church Cemetery, all under the direction of Burton Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net
