The third of the late Amanda and Will Smith's eleven children, George's motivation to provide quality education for all children has stemmed from his experience in Hayneville, Alabama, where no schools were provided for African-Americans beyond junior high school. This segregated education forced George to attend Miller's Ferry Institute, a boarding school supported by missions of the Presbyterian Church. Participation in extra-curricular activities, sports, and an outstanding academic record (class valedictorian) earned him a scholarship to Knoxville College where his studies were concentrated in Chemistry and German.
George entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to pursue a goal set in high school - the ministry. A Master of Divinity degree was conferred in 1956. From this point, the newly ordained minister worked as if possessed. He had a compulsion to eradicate the double bind of economic and educational injustice, wrongful impositions he had survived. He wanted to be a living testimonial to the efficacy of Christianity that sustained and supported him.
When Reverend Smith came to San Diego in 1956, he became founder of the Golden Hill United Presbyterian Church, which eventually merged with the Brooklyn Heights Church in 1981. It is now Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego, one of the most respected congregations in San Diego Presbytery.
From 1956 to the present day, his accomplishments and achievements are well known and include his presence on various local, state and national boards/commissions, as well as being the city's first African-American elected to public office (the San Diego Board of Education in 1963). In 1972, he was elected president of Council of Great City Schools and in 1976 he was elected president of the National School Boards Association. He also served on the National Advisory Commission for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and White House Conference on Children and Youth.
Numerous honors and awards have been bestowed on Reverend Smith: San Diego's Outstanding Young Clergyman, Phi Delta Kappa Lay Citizen Award, and Gentleman of Distinction of the Women's Guild of Temple Emanuel. In 1985, he was one of two elected Distinguished Alumni of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The Presbytery of San Diego endorsed him for the moderator of the General Assembly. He was the first San Diegan so honored.
Reverend Smith was one of KNSD Channel 39's "LIST OF 39," a series featuring 39 most influential San Diegans. In October 1998, San Diego Magazine profiled Reverend Smith as one of the 50 San Diegans who've had a major impact in shaping our city over the past 50 years.
In 2000, Reverend Smith received the following commendations-The Mayor Special Commendation for 30 years of outstanding community service; the Senatorial Commendation/Resolution as Founder/Chairman of the Catfish Club; and the Allen Temple Leadership Institute Award. In May of 2002, San Diego State University bestowed upon Reverend Smith a Doctor of Humane Letters. This honor has only been bestowed on 13 other individuals including President John F. Kennedy. In 2004, he was honored as Distinguished Alumni of Knoxville College.
Reverend and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three children: Anthony, Carolyn and Joyce; the grandparents of five: Taj, D'maj, Shani, Wayman and Noni; and they have one great-grandchild, Samuel.