On Monday, June 15, 2015, Maryland Comptroller came to the Calvert County Courthouse to bestow an award on one of our county’s finest citizens, Guffrie Smith. Comptroller Peter Franchot awarded Smith the 2015 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award. In attendance were Board of County Commissioners Steve Weems, Pat Nutter, Tom Hejl, and county administrator Terry Shannon, Register of Wills Margaret Phipps, Former Comptroller Bobby Swann, Former County Commissioners Hagner Reed Mister and Michael Moore a d Sheriff Mike Evans, as well as others, to congratulate him, including his wife Casey Smith and daughters Jewell and Shelly.
Calvert County Commissioner President Steve Weems introduced the Comptroller Franchot and said of Guffrie Smith, “You deserve this award and so much more!”
The Comptroller spoke of Guffrie Smith, saying he has impacted the lives of children for more than 50 years, being an educator, mentor, historian and hardworking member of his church. Franchot created the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award in 2012 to honor those who make a difference in their communities, especially the most vulnerable, improving lives of Marylanders.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon
I have known Dr. Smith since we moved to Calvert County 36 years ago. He was the Principal of Appeal Elementary School in Lusby and he was loved by the children and their parents alike! He has always been a pleasant, kind, and smiling individual, a real joy to speak with and always had kind words for everyone I had the pleasure to meet many of his 16 brothers and sisters, including his younger brother Tubby who I got to know and work with raising funds for the new athletic building at St. Mary’s College years ago. You may remember Tubby went on to coach the University of Kentucky basketball team and led them to the NCAA National Championship during “March Madness” several years ago! The entire Smith family is as happy and congenial as Guffrie. Their parents did a great job raising these fine citizens! And , I know of no better individual more deserving of this distinction than Dr. Smith! Congratulations sir. Spiggy