Dr. George Virgil Smith

Dr. George Virgil Smith was born in Jackson, MS on June 15, 1932, to Laura Lee Ross and William C. Smith, Sr. He entered into heaven on December 18, 2021, in Greenwood, Mississippi, where he resided since 2002. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Dr. Smith attended Forrest Hill High School in Jackson, MS. He then attended Ole Miss where he earned his B.S. and then entered University of Mississippi Medical School and earned a two year certificate in medicine. He then attended Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, where he received his medical degree. While at Ole Miss he was in the Honorary Scholastic Fraternity: Pi Kappa Pl

He interned at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA, under Dr. Leo Kerne, MD. Dr. Smith served as the Director of the Jackson County Health Department in Pascagoula, MS. He did his general Surgery Residency at Hartford Hospital, in Hartford, CT. He continued his education by doing a Fellowship in Transplantation under Dr. Thomas Starzl, at the University of Colorado in Denver.

Dr. Smith was the assistant director of surgical research laboratories while he was an attending surgeon at the Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. He was also an Assistant Professor of Surgery and on staff at the University of Connecticut. He then went into private practice in Hartford, CT.

He eventually moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he worked at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was a Professor of Surgery, Director of the Kidney Transplantation Service and coordinator of Surgical Oncology. He signed a bill with Governor Bill Waller to have an organ donor designation on drivers’ licenses. He was a pioneer in research using hyperthermia for the treatment of cancer.

Dr. Smith then went into private practice in Grenada, MS, where he met his wife Ann “Annie” Tinsley Smith. They moved to Greenwood, MS in 2002 where he joined the surgical and GL staff. He continued to see patients until his retirement in June 2021.

Some of the many accomplishments include Memberships in the America College of Surgeons, the MS Division of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, Southern Surgical Association, a member of the James Ewing Society/Society of Surgical Oncology, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Society of Sigma Xi, the Society of American Gastro-Intestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, and the Memphis Surgical Society. He was also a retired full bird Colonel in the United States Army National Guard where he taught Advanced Trauma Life Support to the Special Forces in Germany and South Korea. During Desert Storm he was deployed to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He was the District Governor of the Rotary Club for District 6800 in 1995. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. He took great pride as an instrument rated pilot, flying about the US in his personal airplane on many grand adventures with his co-pilot Annie. He and Annie also enjoyed their many travels overseas and in the United States.

George was a scholar in the truest sense of the word. He loved his books and loved to share them with anyone who was interested. He loved to play golf, tennis, fly, travel and read.

He loves behind his loving wife of 35 years Mrs. Annie Smith, Daughters Suzanne Smith Weed (Jody), of St. Augustine, FL, Kimberly Elizabeth Logan (Jason) of Brandon, MS, son George Paul Russell Smith of St. Augustine, FL, Grandson, Joseph Dunning Weed, III, KY, Maya Topping Weed of NYC, NY, Emily Grace and Ann Elise Logan of Brandon, MS.

He is predeceased by his Parents, and Brother William C. Smith, Jr., of Jackson, MS. He is survived by his sisters La Rita Smith of Falmouth, ME, Daphna Smith Shaw of Detroit, MI, Jacqueline Smith Pierce of Ridgeland, MS, Sarah Smith Sheffield of Baltimore, MD, Laura May Smith Levitt of Ridgeland, MS, Dr. Perrin Smith of Columbus, MS, R. Russell Smith Madison, MS. And numerous nieces and nephews who all loved and worshipped him with all their hearts.

At the request of George, a celebration of life and service will be held at a later date. Please make all memorials to the Church of Nativity, 400 Howard Street, Greenwood, MS 38930, where he and Annie are communicants.

Ray Mattox and the staff of Greenwood Delta Funeral Home (www.greenwooddeltafh.com) are in charge of arrangements.

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