Dr. George Smith Obituary

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Dr. George W. Smith

Murfreesboro – Dr. George W. Smith, 69, passed away on March 23, 2018. He was born to Rev. George and Ophelia Smith of Decherd, TN, January 2, 1949. Graduating from Franklin County High School in 1968, he went on to Tennessee State University. After TSU, he attended Meharry Medical College from 1971-1975 with a focus on family practice and public health.

Dr. Smith established Family Health Associates and entered into the practice of medicine July 1979. He was the first African-American physician to obtain hospital privileges at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health, he founded the first primary care clinic in Eagleville. For several years he served as Medical Director, then promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Health of the Tennessee Department of Health. Also, he served as the Medical Director of Community Care of Rutherford County for over 20 years. For his hard work and dedication to service and to his profession, he earned several awards including Saint Thomas Rutherford’s Physician of the Year and the 2016 Olin Williams Distinguished Physician Award for community service.

He was well known as a servant of the community. He co-founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund of Rutherford County in 1983. He developed the Leadership Academy of the Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. He served as a chairperson of Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center Advisory Board. He was a member of the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club. He was an avid historian, serving as a founding member of the 13th United States Colored Troops Living History Association and the African-American Heritage Society of Rutherford County. As a lasting legacy, the City of Murfreesboro proclaimed March 18th as day to honor Dr. George W. Smith.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wilburt and Julia Moore of Decherd, TN; and maternal grandparents, Berry and Flora Smith of Decherd, TN. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Toni Smith; his parents, Rev. George and Ophelia Smith of Decherd, TN; his daughter, Sondra Smith (Jared) of Murfreesboro; his son, Sean Smith (Jilliann) of Chicago, IL; his granddaughter, Margaret Lynn Smith of Chicago, IL; brothers Jimmy Smith of Murfreesboro and Daniel Smith (Rochelle) of Smyrna; sister, Janice Kittrell (Henry) of Smyrna and a host of nieces and nephews.

Lie-in-state held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from 12-5 p.m. visitation 5-7 p.m. at Scales and Sons Funeral Home, 314 East State Street.

Visitation Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 11am – 12pm, funeral to follow at New Vision Baptist Church 1750 N Thompson LN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund, P.O. BOX 331382, Murfreesboro, TN 37133.

Scales & Sons Funeral Home, 314 East State Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 615-893-1313; scalesandsons.com