The Gainesville-Hall County Community Council on Aging will honor Lessie Bailey Smithgall with its 4th Annual Quality of Life Award on November 8.
According to a press release from the city, Smithgall was chosen to receive the award "because of her commitment to improving the quality of life for residents throughout Gainesville and Hall County."
That Mrs. Smithgall would go on to do great things in the world was probably set in
motion at the time of her birth in 1911 East Point, Georgia. She was aptly named
Celestia, which when translated from Latin means “heavenly” or “of the sky”. Mrs.
Smithgall’s life is an example of one who aims high in all that she does. A loving wife and mother, a
passionate journalist, author and business owner, a nature preservationist, a leader of numerous
community board of directors, a devoted advocate of the arts and committed philanthropist, Mrs.
Smithgall’s contributions are not just one time hits, but are the kind of things that leaving a lasting impact
on communities. One need only walk through the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden-Gainesville, A
Smithgall Woodland Legacy created on land donated by Mrs. Smithgall and her late husband, Charles
Smithgall, Jr., to know that it will impact many generations to come.
Mrs. Smithgall has perfected the art of partnering with others to help others. She is a member of
Gainesville First Baptist Church, the Girl Scouts, a charter member of the Northeast Georgia Writer’s Club,
a former member of the American League of Pen Women, a long-time member of the Gainesville-Hall
County Junior League and a Brenau University Trustee Emeritus. As a devoted advocate for the arts, Mrs.
Smithgall has also served as a trustee and member of boards such as the Georgia Council for the Arts,
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Board of Trustees for the Woodruff Arts Alliance and is an honorary Trustee
of Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival. Mrs. Smithgall has been instrumental in nurturing several other
organizations such as the Georgia Citizens for the Arts, the Arts Council in Gainesville, Georgia Sponsors
for the Atlanta Symphony, Theatre Wings and Theatre Wings Endowment - an Alliance Theatre Support
Group, Atlanta Opera, Gainesville Theatre Alliance, Gainesville Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville
ProMusica, Northwinds Symphonic Band and the American Opera.
Please join the Gainesville-Hall County Community Council on Aging in celebrating Mrs.
Smithgall for the difference she has made in our community and in this world. The 2018 Quality
of Life Ceremony will be held at the First Baptist Gainesville Banquet Hall on Thursday
November 8, 2018 at 6pm. For sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Phillippa
Lewis Moss at 770.503.3340.
Gainesville-Hall Cou
