Mr. George Ainsley Smith, Jr.

George A. Smith was born on September 4, 1967 in Kingston, Jamaica to George A. Smith, Sr., and the late Yvonne Nelson. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour early in his youth. George attended Penbroke Hall Primary School and later received a government scholarship to attend Calabar High School in Kingston Jamaica. At the age of 12 he moved to East Orange, New Jersey and later graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School. George was awarded an academic scholarship to attend Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in May, 1989 and his Master’s Degree in Special Education from Georgia State University in May, 1994. He was inducted into the Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. While a student at Emory University, George met his wife Angela Thomas, who happened to be an Alpha Sweetheart and they were married on November 25, 1989. To this union twin daughters Alayna and Mariel, and son Mason were born. George was employed by the New Annawakee Hospital as a mental health assistant before he began his twenty year tenure as an educator in the DeKalb County School System. He taught at Sexton Woods Center and then at Southwest DeKalb High School. While at Southwest Dekalb High School George became the Coach of the Lady Panthers soccer team in 1998. At the conclusion of the 2013 soccer season, he was recognized as having the highest career coaching wins among the current active coaches in the DeKalb County School System. His current record stands at 137-94-10. Through the years, Coach Smith’s players have been well-recognized by participating in the All Star games. In addition, they have excelled academically and secured college soccer scholarships. George was active in his community and served as a soccer coach at the South DeKalb YMCA and the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association. He also supported his children’s endeavors by volunteering with the Salem High School “Pride of the Tribe” Marching Band, Salem High School Seminoles Soccer Team and Theater Salem. George was a member of Solid Rock A.M.E. Zion Church for 25 years. George leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Angela, and will be forever remembered by his twin daughters, Alayna and Mariel and son Mason; father George A. Smith, Sr. (Jennifer Smith); step father, Dudley Nelson; Grandmother, Hazel Sutherland; in-laws Bobby and Georgia Philpot; brothers, Garfield Smith, Gregory Nelson, and Adrian Smith; Barrington Nelson, Anthony Nelson; sisters, Heather Nelson, Jacqueline Nelson and Suzette Nelson; sister-in-law Kim Rostick (Robert); brother-in-law Joshua Philpot (Kristy); aunt Evon Savary; cousins Lorraine Fields (David), Gem Savary, Sophia Savary, and Leighton Savary and a host of other relatives and friends. His legacy of love will always live on in the lives and hearts of the countless people whom he touched through education and mentoring.

Tributes

Mr. George Ainsley Smith, Jr.

September 4, 1967 - July 20, 2013