George W. Smith of Columbus, Mississippi

September 25, 1927 - April 13, 2022

George William Smith of Columbus, MS, age 94, died on April 13, 2022, at Fair Haven Retirement Center, Birmingham, AL. Mr. Smith was born on September 25, 1927, in Lamar County, AL, to the late William Lias Smith and Verla Robertson Smith. He graduated from Lamar County High School, Vernon, AL, and University of Alabama Class of 1954. He was a Pacific Veteran of World War II, 25 th Infantry Division Head Quarters, Signal Corp where he served beside the Navajo codebreakers. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. George held a General Contractors License, worked for Mitchell Engineering, and Ceco Manufacturing, where he served on the Advisory Board. He founded and was President of George W Smith Steel Buildings. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church, Columbus, MS, where he was a member of the Builders Sunday School Class.  He was also a member of the University of Alabama Alumni Association. He enjoyed Alabama football, fishing and gardening.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Edna Hudspeth Smith, his brothers, James Vance Smith and Wilburn Harold Smith. He is survived by his sister, Loventrice (Mrs. M. C.) Edwards, Birmingham, AL, his daughters, Anne Marie Trawick (Bill), Jackson, WY, and L. Carol Smith, Washington, DC, his sons, George E. Smith (Wanda), Pelham, AL, and Stephen K. Smith (Janet), Naples, FL. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Trent Trawick (Sarah), Austin, TX, Jared Trawick (Ashley), Austin, TX, Madison Smith and Ashleigh Smith, Birmingham, AL, four great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Walker, Trever, and Makayla Trawick and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Trent Trawick, Jared Trawick, Michael Powell, Christopher Rhett, Arrington Rhett, and Madison Guyton.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Carl Edwards, Jerry Smith, Bill Trawick, Mike Powell, Mark Powell, Royce Hudspeth, Bill Hudspeth, Wythe Rhett, Robert Rhett, Doug Moulds, and Members of the Glenn Lautzenhiser Sunday School Class.

A memorial service will be Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church on 7 th Street North with Rev. Kevin Cuthbertson officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 10:00AM until service time at the church.

(In lieu of flowers) Memorials may be made to First Baptist Building Fund c/o First Baptist Church, PO Box 829, Columbus, MS 39703 or a charity of your choice.