Georgia Stephens Smith

Our beloved Mother, Georgia Stephens Smith, left her earthly home for Heaven on Monday, May 3, 2021, at the age of 74. What a beautiful Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend she was. So smart, witty, funny and full of personality. She never met a stranger and loved life. She was beloved by all her family and friends. She became known as "Mama Georgia' during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and gained much love from so many who adored her on social media. She did, in fact, provide laughter and love to so many. Ms. Smith entered this beautiful world on February 15, 1947, at Coleman Hospital in Dublin, Georgia. A beautiful baby girl and the youngest of six siblings born to the late Elry and Marie Hargrove Stephens and raised in Scott, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elry and Marie Hargrove Stephens, Sister Mae Stephens Townsend, Sister Darthy Stephens Grant and Brother Jim Poole. She was a member of Bay Springs Baptist Church and a retired member of Georgia Association of Nursing Home Administrators. She retired after serving many faithful years in the healthcare industry. Ms. Smith served the State of Georgia as a Nursing Home Administrator in the specific capacity of being an advocate to the care and well-being of Nursing Home Residents. She began her career in the healthcare industry in 1980 with an emphasis on Developing Program Activities for Senior Citizens which she was beloved by her residents for her energy and willingness to provide enjoyment and entertainment; even fishing trips and picnics to bring happiness to them. She then studied for State Social Worker whereas her direct goal was the specific social well-being of her Residents. Ms. Smith remained in this capacity until 1989 when she graduated to Nursing Home Administrator after which she served as a State Liaison and traveled statewide to assist other Nursing Homes in time of need. Ms. Smith remained in this capacity until her untimely retirement due to medical reasons in 2005. She was devoted to and loved her career and serving the Elderly for which she had a great passion. Her service to the Nursing Home industry was one of her many prideful accomplishments. Ms. Smith was an avid reader and enjoyed writing poetry and wrote several forums and articles for Dublin Courier Herald in regards to Empathy for the Elderly in the 1980's. Southern cooking, gardening, reading and fishing was her most favorite pastime, but she also took the greatest pride in being a Mother to her two children and Grandmother to her only grandchild, Zachary. Ms. Smith is survived by her Daughter, Billie Duggan Kitchens of Dublin; her Son, Clifford Lee (Susan) Duggan of Dublin; Grandson, Zachary Lee (Erin) Duggan and Great Grand Daughters Olivia Kay and soon to be born Gemma Sue all of Stanley, North Dakota; Sister, Iola (James) Covington of Dublin; Brother, Russell Stephens of Wrightsville, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved unconditionally. Ms. Smith also had a special relationship with her caregiver, Sherrie Pullen of Wrightsville as well as her life-long friends Joy Lumley Shepherd of Tybee Island and Judy Brown of Vidalia. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at The Chan Stanley Memorial Chapel at Stanley Funeral Home, Dublin, GA. with Reverend Larry Waldrep and Mr. Thurmon Foskey officiating. A reading of Ms. Smith's writings will be shared by Kenny Daniel. Burial will follow at Bay Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Scott, Georgia with Reverend James Covington in closing. Pallbearers will include Scott Stephens, Bill Middlebrooks, Kyle Windham, Michael Rhoten, Jay Foskey, and Perry Rogers. The family will receive visitors between 2:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. prior to Ms. Smith's funeral. Ms. Smith's family may be reached at her home; 718 Hawthorne Road, Dublin, GA. Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory, Dublin, Georgia is in charge of Ms. Smith's funeral arrangements.