Cover photo for Hubert W. Smith's Obituary
Hubert W. Smith Profile Photo

Hubert W. Smith

August 10, 1925 — July 29, 2012

Hubert W. Smith

Dr. Hubert Wesley Smith, well-known chiropractor on the MS Coast for more than forty years, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2012 surrounded by his loving family, after a long struggle with a form of leukemia. Dr. Smith was born on August 10, 1925, in a rural community in Advance, North Carolina to George W. and Ellen Smith. The Smiths moved to Homestead, Florida, shortly after his birth, where the family became pioneer winter farmers, known throughout the community for their strong, hardworking, Christian values. His father George W. Smith invented and patented two cultivator systems that are still in use today. Under the registered “Sunshine Brands” the family farm, George W. Smith & Sons helped develop a better-producing tomato “Homestead” which continues to be on the market. Their produce was shipped all over the United States and Canada and the farm’s success earned his father the title of “Potato King of Florida” pronounced in the Miami Daily Herald. Hubert attended Homestead High and Georgia Military Academy, College Park, Georgia, and two years at Homestead Junior College. During World War II, Dr. Smith served in the U.S. Army as an instructor in small arms and was appointed to the U.S. Rifle Team, where he earned the title “Expert Marksman.” He also served in the U.S. Army Band, As a young farmer, Hubert suffered a painful back injury that was successfully managed through chiropractic treatment. This experience and his confidence in such therapy led Dr. Smith to earn his doctorate degree with Honors at Logan Chiropractic College in Missouri and to settle on the MS Coast, partnering to create the West Smith Chiropractic Clinic on Pass Road, one of the largest practices in MS. In 1968, Hubert joined the Mississippi Chiropractic Association and led the legislative committee. With help and support from chiropractors and patients around the state, the organization persuaded the legislature to create the state’s first licensing law. Governor William Waller appointed the Board of Examiners, as called for in the law, and Dr. Smith chaired that board for three years, from 1973 to 1976. Some of his other professional accomplishments include being appointed a Fellow by the American Chiropractic Association and International Chiropractic Association, serving as a commissioner on the Federal Health Systems Planning Commission and the national Federation Chiropractic Boards, as well as serving on numerous state and national regulatory and professional organizations Dr. Smith was named “Mississippi Chiropractor of the Year” in 1973 and received the “Meritorious Service to Humanity and Profession Award” from the American Chiropractic Association and also in 1974. He was vice chairman of Mississippi Chiropractic Association on the legislative committee for two years and a member of the Logan Chiropractic Alumni Association. He was a member of American Chiropractic Association and an alternate state delegate for three years, a member of American Federation of Chiropractic Boards and a member of X-Ray Quality Control Commission. Called simply “Doc” by most of his patients, Dr. Smith’s passion for healing and his commitment to his patients resulted in many long term relationships. He constantly brought home the gifts of vegetables, seafood, and home-baked goodies of his grateful patients. In addition to his professional interests, Dr. Smith enjoyed fishing and hunting, sometimes traveling to exotic locales with his hunting club. He particularly enjoyed restoring antique automobiles, winning national awards and recognition for his work. Two of his restored vehicles are now housed in automobile museums in Tallahassee, FL, and in British Columbia, Canada and he was a member of the Gulf Coast Antique Car Club. Dr. Smith never lost his love of nurturing plantings, always maintaining a well-manicured lawn and a backyard garden. He used his background in science to cultivate beautiful day lilies. While a member of the American Hemerocallis Society, Dr. Smith attempted, using Xrays, to produce a pure white day lily. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Long Beach, MS. He volunteered throughout his life with organizations such as Feed My Sheep and The Boy Scouts of America, but his generosity touched the lives of countless persons in his own quiet way. He was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club, Las Krewe of Who and Les Cavaliers Carnival Association. Like so many of their family and friends, Dr. and Mrs. Smith struggled through the Katrina damage to their home and community, but they maintained a commitment to their beloved MS Gulf coast by purchasing another home in Pass Christian, this time far away from the water’s edge. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joyce Smith, who told everyone (again and again) that Hubert was the best thing that ever happened to her. He also leaves behind his daughter Mary Ellen (Dr. Ron) Hunt of Long Beach, MS; son, Dr. Ronald Smith of Gulfport; daughter, Catherine Brown of Brandon; two step-children, Dr. David Tuminello of Pass Christian, and Theresa Middleton of Bay St. Louis; his former wife of 28 years, Etheleen Smith; his grandchildren and great grandchildren include David Smith of North Carolina, Stacy Dickens of Gulfport, Jill Convenuto of Baton Rouge, LA, twin granddaughters, Rachel and Leah Tuminello of Pass Christian, and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Martha Smith of North Carolina and many other in-laws. Dr. Smith was predeceased by all his siblings, Lester, Evelyn, and Wade; and parents, George W. and Ellen Smith. Memorials may be made to St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1529, Long Beach, MS 39560 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to those who cared for Dr. Smith including doctors and staff at Gulfport Memorial Hospital and at Canon Hospice for all the compassion and love shown to all his family; the parishioners of St. Thomas Catholic Church; and especially their dear friends, Dr. Tom and Donna Blanks. Most important is the gratitude to family, neighbors, and friends whose love and support over the years made possible a life so fully lived and filled with love. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Long Beach where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens, Long Beach. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com Walk with me to the water, when it comes my time. What we say will not matter, just keep your hand in mine. I’ll cross the water by myself, I know that’s what I must do. But the chilling sting won’t be felt, Because I’ve walked with you. Nellie Keller
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hubert W. Smith, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, August 2, 2012

11:00am - 1:00 pm

Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens

300 South 12th Street, Erwin, NC 28339

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Starts at 1:00 pm

Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens

300 South 12th Street, Erwin, NC 28339

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Cemetery

Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens

19361 28th Street, Long Beach, MS 39560

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 28

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree