Dr. George Allen Smith

God sees when the footsteps falter, and the pathway has grown too steep. Then he touches the weary eyelids, and gives His dear ones sleep. On the morning of Friday, August 9, 2024, our beloved Dr. George Allen Smith, slipped away peacefully into eternal rest. He was born on September 16, 1942 in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was the middle child of three children born to the late Benjamin and Rosa Catherine Smith, who stressed to their children that education was the key to their success. In his youth Dr. Smith began his Christian Walk at Ebenezer Baptist Church where he married Alma Randall Smith in 1966. Their union was blessed with one son, Gervan Allen Smith, and Dr. Smith had one daughter, Sylvia Smith Jones. Dr. Smith received his formal education in the Portsmouth Public School system, graduating from I.C. Norcom High School in 1961. He matriculated at Norfolk State College (now University) for three years prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training, he was selected for Officer Candidate School and accordingly commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After serving in Vietnam as a Field Artillery Officer, he completed his military service with the U.S. Army. Afterwards, Dr. Smith returned to Norfolk State and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1972. Dr. Smith obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan in 1977. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Smith established and operated a private dental practice in Portsmouth for several years. Subsequently, he joined the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) as a commissioned officer. During his tenure with the USPHS, he was the Chief Dentist of the North Carolina Region of the U.S. for the Federal Bureau of Prisons where he was one of the top innovators of correctional dentistry in the U.S. When he retired from the Public Health Service in 1995 as a Navy Captain, he had served a total of 32 years as a commissioned officer in the Uniformed Services. He was later inducted into the U.S. Army Field Artillery OCS Hall of Fame in Lawton, OK. Moreover, Dr. Smith furthered his career at the Virginia Department of Corrections as Chief Dental Director until his retirement in 2015. Dr. Smith was an avid reader, educator, and mentor. His favorite pastimes were playing cards, crabbing, and golfing. He had an outgoing personality, and a genuine love for not only his family but all mankind. He enjoyed entertaining in his home and welcomed family and friends at any time of day or night. He took great delight in having his guests partake of Alma’s great culinary dishes. Dr. Smith held many leadership positions in fraternal and community organizations including past president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Epsilon Nu Lambda Chapter. Additionally, he was a member of Beta Lambda Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and the Eureka Club of Portsmouth, Inc. He held membership in the National Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, Old Dominion Dental Society, John McGriff Dental Society, American Legion, and the NAACP. Leaving to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 57 years, Alma Randall Smith; son, Gervan Allen Smith (Heather); daughter, Sylvia Smith Jones; three grandchildren, James Jones III, Jacquilyn Jones, and Garrett Allen Smith; brother, Benjamin Smith, Jr. (Angela); sister, Barbara Williams; sister-in-law, Eunice Randall Crocker; two brothers-in-law, Clifton Crocker and Melvin Randall; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

Dr. George Allen Smith

September 16, 1942 - August 9, 2024