George “Bo” Newton Smith

Funeral Mass for Mr. George “Bo” Newton Smith, 83, of West Monroe, LA, will be held 10:00AM Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe, LA with Rev. Mark Franklin officiating. Entombment will follow at St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in Monroe, LA. Visitation will be held from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road.

George Newton Smith or “Bo” as he was known to friends, was born August 26, 1937, in Poplarville, Mississippi to William Richard and Annie Marie Dorsett Smith. He was given the middle name of Newton after family friend Newton James, who was the State Treasurer of Mississippi. The youngest of four children, Bo had to overcome hardship at an early age when he lost his mother at age fifteen and his father when he was twenty-one. He was immensely proud of his siblings who all graduated from college and went on to very successful careers. Bo’s siblings were his only family and he wanted to make them proud. Determined to make a name for himself, he played football for two years at Pearl River Junior College and was voted Captain of the football team as well as “Best all-around Boy” by his classmates. Bo was accepted to the University of Mississippi “Ole Miss”, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1959. As a student at “Ole Miss” he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

He was recruited in his senior year at Ole Miss by Colombian Carbon Company and went to work for them as a plant manager after graduation. Mr. Smith was the youngest plant manager in company history and was trusted with managing the company’s largest plant. He worked for the company over 30 years as they transitioned from Columbian Carbon to Cities Service Oil Company and finally, Phelps Dodge. He held several executive positions to include Vice President for Worldwide Operations, and Vice President of the Iron Oxide Division. His job had him traveling throughout the world and his wife Virginia was often his travelling companion. Bo believed in giving more than you take and was active in several organizations throughout his career to include being elected President of the Chamber of Commerce in Franklin, La.

He married Virginia Rae Roy of Bunkie, Louisiana in December of 1959. They moved several times during George’s career, living in Franklin, Louisiana; Conroe, Texas; Bunkie, Louisiana; West Monroe, Louisiana, and Saint Louis, Missouri. The Smith’s raised three children, Ramona Ann, William “Bo”, and Paul Christopher during their 61 years of matrimony.

Bo is preceded in death by his parents, William Richard and Annie Marie Dorsett Smith; in-laws, Vallie and Maude Roy; sister, Annie Marie Watson; and brothers, William Dorsett Smith (LTC) and David Richard Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rae Smith; children, Ramona Castille (Mike), William “Bo” Smith (Kimi), and Paul Smith (Nicki); and sisters-in law, Melitta Smith and Mary Lynn Smith. He was a loving grandfather to Christopher Castille, Katelynn Castille, Scott Smith (Lacy), Jeremy Smith, Allie Smith, and Anna Claire Smith. He took great pride in being a Great-Grandfather to Ryan Heath Roberts, Aubrie Laine Smith, and Kinsley Grace Smith. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

At age 82, Bo was diagnosed with COVID-19 and spent 30 days in the hospital. He was a fighter his entire life and was not going to let COVID beat him. His favorite saying was “when the going gets tough, the tough get going. He lived his life by those words and taught his children to do the same. He won his battle against this disease and after being discharged from the hospital went to live with his son Paul to recuperate. Although he beat COVID on his terms, it took a severe toll on him. Bo was weak from the fight and ready to be united with his Savior.

Bo was a devout Catholic and family man who would help those in need. For many years he would have bicycles delivered to kids at Christmas who did not have one. He also organized Christmas parties for the plant workers and their families and would purchase gifts to give out to their children. He truly lived a remarkable life and will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

The family would like to thank SFMC for caring for him during his hospital stay and a special thank you to Compassus Home Health for making his hospice time comfortable. Mulhearn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements and burial will be in St. Matthews Cemetery.

Dad, thank you for being our hero and showing us how to live a wonderful life by helping others. The going is extremely tough right now, but the tough will always get going! We will never forget you and your kindness, and we find strength in that you are reunited with family that you have missed for so long!

Online Registry/Condolences:
www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA