George Smith

George Monroe Smith WEST COLUMBIA - George Monroe Smith, 64, of West Columbia passed away Monday, September 26, 2016. Born June 30, 1952 in Richland County, he was the son of the late Pat Gaulden and Rubye Dillard Smith. George graduated from Airport High School in 1970 and from Georgia Southern University in 1975, with a degree in Outdoor Recreation. As a young man, he served as Deacon at First Baptist Church of West Columbia, where his family enjoyed many years of wonderfully close friends and fellowship. Later, George became a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, where he served on the Southern Baptist Convention's Committee on Committees. Following college, George devoted 28 years of his life working at the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in West Columbia, where he passionately chronicled the school's unique history under Founder, Dr. Wil Lou Gray. During those years, he traveled the state recruiting at-risk youth, introducing them to the school he loved, and giving them life-changing opportunities to complete their high school education. In later years, he enjoyed brief opportunities with the airlines and substitute teaching. He was blessed with a welcoming smile and contagious laugh; never meeting a stranger. He was an avid fan of Georgia Southern football, who loved to travel and read. Throughout life, George ardently tracked family genealogy, becoming a sought-after source for authors, documenting Civil War heritage that included his great-grandfather, a veteran of the Civil War, George Cleveland Smith, Sr. He enjoyed any opportunity for metal detecting to unearth precious historical objects. He was proud of his namesake, his uncle, Supreme Court Justice, George T. Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, becoming the fourth, now final, generation of George Smiths. Following family tradition, he loved a good dove hunt with his family in Camilla, Georgia and deer hunting and fishing with his brothers, Pat and John of Springdale. Recently, the three brothers, "joined at the hip" enjoyed a trip to South Dakota to pheasant hunt, where freezing temperatures and a white-out made for many laughs and a quick flight back home. He was a passionate ornithologist, particularly enamored with the Painted Bunting, enjoying pursuit of its winged flights and habitats in the southern part of the state. In 2011 with the unexpected loss of his sister, Marcia Anne Easler (Spartanburg), he cherished visits with his niece, Katie and her two beautiful daughters, Anna Gray and Emma. Birthday parties were not to be missed. George is survived by his two brothers, Pat G. Smith (Rosalie) and John T. Smith of Springdale, who will dearly miss their brotherly camaraderie; his niece, Katie Easier Prater (Ervin) of Inman and their precious daughters, Anna Gray and Emma; brother-in-law, Chris Easler of Spartanburg; her aunts, Daisy Boyd (Carroll) of Santuck, Joan Smith of Atlanta, Joan Dillard of Georgia uncle, Truett Smith (Glenna) of Elberton, GA; and many wonderful cousins. A Celebration of Remembrance service for George M. Smith will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel with interment to follow in the Garden of Prayer. The family will begin receiving friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Wil Lou Gray Foundation, 3300 West Campus Road, West Columbia, SC 29170 www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net.