I n this interview, Grand Inspector General Derek Shackelford speaks with Sovereign Grand Inspector General Kermit Smith about the influential role of Lee Andrew Taylor Jr. in both Smith ’ s life and the wider Masonic community. The discussion highlights Taylor ’ s direct impact: he encouraged Smith to take on leadership roles, covered event costs when Smith was a young soldier with limited means, and ensured Smith ’ s continued involvement even after moving away. The interview reveals Taylor ’ s extensive service, and Smith emphasizes Taylor ’ s generosity, dedication, and the ways he actively fostered growth in those around him. This conversation serves as a detailed tribute to a Mason whose leadership and compassion left a lasting mark. GIG Shackelford : Sovereign Grand Inspector General Smith, tell me about your relationship with Sovereign Grand Inspector General Lee Andrew Taylor Jr. What kind of man was he to you, and how did that relationship begin? SGIG Smith : He always made sure I was around him, observing. He believed in working hard, and no matter what position you put him in, he always gave you a hug. When I met him in 1993, we were starting a new Temple—Tuwa Temple No. 228. He was selected as the first Potentate for that Temple. Even then, he was already a Mason ’ s Mason, working his way through the Grand Chapter OES.
GIG Shackelford : What was he for you personally?
SGIG Smith : He was like an uncle— almost a father figure. Being in the military, you can get far from home. I ’ d just come back from Germany, so meeting him was an instant click. He was hard on me, but fair. My grandmother raised me. She was short, at just five feet tall. And Lee reminded me of her: tough but loving. He pushed me to do things right. He was the first person to hand me our jurisdiction ’ s Constitution and say, “ You need to know this if you ’ re going to go far. ” When I met him in ’93, he was the Illustrious Potentate, and I was Captain of the Guard. The next year our Oriental Guide, a police officer, had to step down because of work conflicts. He came to me and said, “ I need you to move up. ” I was a young soldier, E-4, living in the barracks with little money, but he and another brother always made sure I could attend events — they ’ d say, “ You want your ball ticket paid for or your room paid for? ” They saw something in me I didn ’ t see myself. They made sure I was around everything. Even later, when I moved to Atlanta and became less active, he called and said, “ I need you back active. ” I went back for a visit and he pulled me right back in. When I was stationed in Belgium, I
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