Granger Smith's Late Son Saves Two Lives Through Organ Donation 

Amber Smith posted an emotional statement on Instagram.

(Undated)  --  The wife of country star Granger Smith is revealing their son's organs saved two lives. 

Three-year-old River drowned earlier this year; he was left on life support with zero percent chance of brain recovery. 

Amber Smith took to Instagram over the weekend in an emotional post.  She said they knew River's spirit was in heaven and that she spent the night before the operation crying and talking to her little boy. 

River's organs went to save a 49-year-old woman and a 53-year old man. 

She thanked God for the three years they did have with River and prayed that the two recipients live healthy, joy-filled lives. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I’ve always known I wanted to be a donor if anything were to ever happen to me. I just felt that if I had viable organs, why would I go into the ground with them? My spirit would be in Heaven, so why not save a life if I could? Never in a million years did I think I would be making that decision for my baby. When 3 different neuro specialists told us that River had 0% chance of brain recovery (yes 0, not 10 or 1%, 0) after shock and reality set in, I thought, how can we bury our sweet baby and not try to help others? His body is perfect, his organs are perfect, we had to do something. There are so many people waiting for an organ to save their lives. The doctors said donation was quite a process. We would have to search for viable recipients and it could take days. We knew River’s spirit was in Heaven, but we couldn’t bear to watch his tiny, earthly body be pumped full of all the medicines for 3 or more more days while they searched. They tried to expedite the process so our family could be in peace, told us they would take him back to operate the next morning, but we wouldn’t know what organs could be used until after. With such a small body, organs had to be measured physically, not just by X-ray. I spent the night laying in bed with him, crying and talking to him while they kept running tests and taking blood. The next morning family and staff lined the hall for the “walk of honor”. We told them River liked to go fast, so to honor him, they pushed him down that hall faster than they had ever pushed anyone. Granger and I held each other and cried. We got the letter that our tiny, red-headed hero gave life to 2 adults. A 49 year old woman and a 53 year old man. I cried when we opened it. Cried out of sadness & cried out of love. I’m so proud to be River’s mama and I’m so grateful to God that he gave him to us for those incredible 3 years. I pray these 2 recipients live healthy, joy filled, full throttle lives just like Riv. It was one of the hardest, yet easiest, decisions we’ve ever made. There are over 113,000 people waiting for transplants & 20 people die each day waiting. Go to OrganDonor.gov to see how you can help give life as well. ❤️

A post shared by Amber Smith (@amberemilysmith) on

More from Country Music News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.
Rating *

Events

King & Queen Crowned at Versailles Pumpkin Show

Lawrenceburg and Rising Sun are represented

Dearborn County Council President Receives Prestigious Award

The award was presented at the annual AIC Conference this week.

Autumn Antiquing: Final Market of 2026

The 2026 Tri-State Antique Market season is coming to an end

Milan's Derico Breaks Career Goal Record

Milan won big on Wednesday night.

OA Soccer Stars Set Single Game Records on Senior Night

It was a victorious Senior Night for OA's seven seniors.

Conner Girls Golf Finishes Runner-up at Region 7 Tournament, Qualify for State Tournament

The Region 5-8 Sectional Tournament is scheduled for next week at Kenton Co. Golf Course

On Air

Rick Bernius playing
Dylan Scott - My Girl

Lauren Alaina Getting Good 15:42
Chris Janson Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get 15:40
Pam Tillis When You Walk In The Room 15:37
Keith Urban Keith Urban - Little Bit of Everything - Eagle Only 15:33