Phil Gingrey: “I rise today to recall the life of Sam C. Smith, former mayor of Cartersville, Georgia, president of Century Bank, and a…”

“I rise today to recall the life of Sam C. Smith, former mayor of Cartersville, Georgia, president of Century Bank, and a lifelong community activist who leaves behind an everlasting legacy of service to his hometown. Sam is survived by his wife, Connie Hill Smith, and his three children, Ginny, Taylor, and Drew. Sam's untimely death this past weekend is deeply felt by the entire Cartersville community, and I would like to share some of his accomplishments here today. Sam lived life with a passion for everything he did, and he worked tirelessly for the betterment of his community. Never a man with small dreams or goals, Sam served as mayor of Cartersville from 1998 to 2002, and his tenure exemplified the kind of work that can be achieved when a city's leader is committed, involved, and enthusiastic about making his city a better place to live. However, Sam's involvement in his community far outdates his rise to mayor. Sam Smith was a true fixture in Cartersville, and his shoes will be hard ones to fill. This is a man who earlier today was laid to rest less than a mile from the place where he was born 58 years ago. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in finance, Sam quickly became a shining star for the Bartow County community. In 1972, he was named Cartersville's Outstanding Young Man of the Year, and in 1979, he was named one of five Outstanding Young Men in the State of Georgia by the Georgia Jaycees.…”