George H. Keith was born January 9, 1925, in Carthage, Mississippi, where he spent virtually his entire life and built one of the state's most respected community newspapers. A second-generation newspaperman, he attended Mississippi State University before succeeding his father, M.M. Keith, as editor and publisher of The Carthaginian in 1948. Aside from a 17-month period of service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Keith devoted his career to the Leake County newspaper.
Under his leadership, The Carthaginian earned numerous state and national awards for journalistic excellence and became recognized as one of Mississippi's outstanding weekly newspapers. Keith believed strongly that a community newspaper should be deeply involved in the civic life of its hometown, and he exemplified that philosophy through decades of public service.
His community leadership included serving as a charter member of the Leake County Industrial Development Association, president of the Leake County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Board of Trustees of Leake Memorial Hospital, and as an honorary Colonel on the staff of Gov. J.P. Coleman.
Keith also played an important leadership role in Mississippi journalism. He served as president of the Mississippi Press Association in 1964 and was widely respected by his peers for his commitment to the newspaper industry and to community journalism.
George H. Keith died in 1994, leaving behind a legacy of distinguished newspaper leadership, dedicated community service and unwavering support for the principles of local journalism. His decades of service to The Carthaginian, the Mississippi Press Association and the people of Leake County continue to exemplify the vital role of community newspapers in Mississippi.
