PlSgt Murdock Hamilton Smith

Birth: Apr. 29, 1914 Carroll County Georgia, USA Death: Apr. 20, 1988 Atlanta Fulton County Georgia, USA

Valedictorian of his high school class, Murdock had dreams of being a lawyer and read for the bar. However, the Depression deepened and he turned to a military career as a way to quickly help his family. Enlisted US Army 25 Sep 1934. Honorable Discharge 29 Oct 1937.

Married Muriel Lea McBrayer (first wife) 10 Dec 1937. After premature birth/death of their first child, the marriage failed.

Enlisted US Marine Corps 4 Oct 1939. Honorable Discharge 8 Jan 1946. WW II Pacific Region. Rank: Platoon Sgt 3rd grade.

Stationed at Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked. Was on shore leave. Wounded at Peleliu in 1944. Hospitalized until discharge in 1946. Received Purple Heart.

Married Annie Lois Hart 29 May 1948.

After his marriage, Murdock tried his hand at cattle raising, investing his GI money in the purchase of a prize bull and some cows. The family lived on a small farm near Concord Church in Paulding County. Soon however, the price of beef dropped drastically and the investment was lost.

Next, Murdock took an interest in grist milling. Traveling extensively over the state in search of a suitable mill to purchase, one finally was located in Coweta County, and the family moved to Sewell Mill on Cedar Creek near Roscoe in 1954. Murdock labored greatly in rebuilding the dam and fixing up the mill and was able to earn a living making corn meal for several years.

The little house beside the grist mill at Cedar Creek became crowded after Lois's mother came to live with the family and Murdock began building a home on a hill overlooking the creek. He worked on it several years and built it himself (with a little help from Paul Hart, Lois's brother, and Murdock's brother Loyd). The family moved into the new home in 1964. Murdock continued to improve the property by building stone walls and landscaping extensively so that Lois could plant flowers in the yard. He was never afraid of hard work; often the children would see sweat dripping off his brow while he worked.

To bring in money, Murdock held several other jobs over the years, including working in a Singer Sewing Machine factory, night watchman, forest ranger, and long distance truck driver. Hampered by his crippled leg, it was often difficult for him and no doubt at times painful.

Murdock was a loving father whose children enjoyed having a "session" which entailed his getting a pot or pan from the stove and marching around the table beating it with a spoon and singing, the children giggling behind him. Other fun times included long walks in the woods where he would point out forest lore or swims in the creek.

After Murdock's children were grown, he was able to retire and pursue his interest in genealogy. He spent many long hours researching the Smiths, Byrums, Humphries, and Holts, visiting numerous cemeteries and historical depositories.

As Murdock aged, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and became feeble. However, his mind always remained sharp and clear. He fell in the front yard after going to the mailbox and broke a leg. During his hospitalization, he had an allergic reaction to a drug he was given and died.

Family links:

Parents:

 John Davis Smith (1876 - 1950)

 Lula Ella Holt Smith (1881 - 1956)

Spouse:

 Annie Lois Hart Smith (1919 - 2000)*

Children:

 Laura Elaine Smith (1938 - 1938)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Concord Baptist Church Cemetery Paulding County Georgia, USA

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Created by: Phyllis Record added: Apr 06, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 35574324 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35574324