Deacon George Smith Sr

June 24, 1926 - February 17, 2021

The Life and Journey of…. Deacon George A. Smith Sr. was born June 24, 1926. He was the fifth of six boys born to James Edward and Mary Meckie Smith in Lexington, Mississippi. He attended Newport Public School. George accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized as a teen at Newport Missionary Baptist Church. George was united in holy matrimony to his lovely and devoted wife Senora (Sargent) Smith on July 17, 1951. Prior to George proposing to Senora and after relocating to Milwaukee Wisconsin, he wrote a letter to the love of his life. If you know George, you know he had a sense of humor. In his letter he wrote, “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”Sounds familiar? This was his way of saying I am preparing a life for you, my love and I will return to bring you to the North. During his lifetime, he was called by many names. George, Brother, Red, I, and the Professor. George was his given name. Brother was his name as he was growing up because he was a brother to all. Red because he had red hair as a child. “I” because he’d always say, “I gon’ do this, or I gon’ do that”. Lastly, the Professor because the grandchildren thought Granddaddy/Paw-Paw knew EVERYTHING. George joined the Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, Rev. Jewel Williams, Pastor upon his arrival to Milwaukee. As time progressed, he became a member of Holy Ghost Baptist Church under the leadership of his brother, Rev. Otha L. Smith Sr. He departed from his brother’s church to unite with a church that was closer to home. Finally, he joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Obie B. Sartin Sr. and currently Rev. Russell B. Williamson. He became a Deacon at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church on December 29,1968 and an Honorary Deacon August 10, 2014. He loved attending church and participating. George was employed at the Milwaukee Solvay Coke Plant for 33 years, holding several positions before retiring as a Stationary Fireman and Boiler Engineer. He then worked as a Boiler Engineer for Hercules Inc. for 7 years. Never missing a day of work for 40 years. Finally retiring in August 1991. During his lifetime he enjoyed painting houses and churches. He enjoyed sitting on the porch and listening to baseball or his police scanner while his grandchildren Rashad and Brittany played outside. His grandson Christopher who lives in Illinois is graced with his middle name “Allen.” He enjoyed gardening and keeping his yard groomed. He enjoyed attending prayer meeting, Sunday School, leading devotion, and his favorite was praying and singing. He was a handyman and “George of all trades”. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren but, Brooklynn (his great-granddaughter) held a special place in his heart. Her special love name for him was “Popcorn” because he would always pop her popcorn. He transitioned on Wednesday February 17, 2021 and joined his parents and five brothers: Charley (Geneva), Samuel, Rev. Walter Lee (Fannie, living), Nathaniel (Mary Lee), Rev. Otha L.(Idell). WORDS FROM GEORGE A. SMITH, SR. I am leaving a beautiful and amazing family. Senora, I love you and always will. You have been my lifelong love, my sweetie. My three loving children; Shirley M. Watkins, Sandra V. Stewart, and George A. Smith Jr. (Fredia), my three grandchildren; Christopher A. Watkins, Rashad J. Stewart, and Brittany S. Stewart (one of his fave); and two great-grandchildren Damari and precious Brooklynn (his other fave), a bonus grandchild, Maleyah, and a host of relatives and friends.