George Ward Smith, 76, of St. Petersburg, Florida, died Friday, May 22, 2026, at Community Hospice in Vidalia, Georgia.
Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date.
Mr. Smith was born June 1, 1949, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late William Carlton “Bill” & Marcelle Hunter Smith. He was a 1967 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and earned his Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia. He worked for Eckerd Drugs for several years across Florida before owning and operating The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Fort Lauderdale. He retired as a pharmacist with Publix in August 2008. Mr. Smith lived in Fort Myers and Key West as well as Houston, Texas, where he experienced an interesting sailing trip when his boat became disabled on his return home resulting in a towing adventure. Despite his sailing credentials, he never learned how to swim which added to the excitement. He taught himself to play the piano and enjoyed dancing in college. He enjoyed learning new things including fishing, playing golf, cooking, and playing computer games. Mr. Smith was part of a close family of siblings whom he loved dearly, although he would admit the sisters enjoyed talking on the phone more than the brothers. He was also a devoted and generous friend and an avid dog lover, sharing his love with many canines throughout his life. He was a member of St. Peters United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Juanita Gatch of Charleston, South Carolina, Jackie Walston of Foxfield, Colorado, Mabel (Perry) Stallings of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kenneth (Marcia) Smith of Snellville, Alice (Billy) Prescott of Fitzgerald, and Rhonda (Robert) Pridgen of Wray; sisters-in-law: Ginny Smith of Lexington, South Carolina and Glenda Smith of Statesboro; a brother-in-law: Steve Reed of Macon; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Matthew Smith, Ben Smith, and Ralph Smith; and a sister, Dorothy Reed.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Canine Castaways, Inc., P O Box 3295, Arcadia FL 34265 or to St. Peters United Methodist Church, P O Box 1148, Fitzgerald GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.