On February 10, 2023, Virgil Alexis Smith, loving husband, father and brother, passed away in the presence of his loved ones in Ocala, FL. 
     Virgil was born to the late Emerson and Amy Smith, a pastor, welder and a homemaker, in Ocala, FL on October 13, 1952. He was blessed with a large and loving family. His surviving siblings are Emory (married to Phyllis Smoker), Ricky (married to Mary Zackery), Michael (married to Jeanette Sutton), Barbara Cummings, Becky Baines and Charlotte Dias. He is preceded in death by his three brothers Gerald, Doyle and Charles.
     Virgil was taught to weld by his father and eventually opened his own business, Smith Welding and Fabrication, with his brother Charles and his son Gerald, who he taught his trade to as well. During his 70 years of life he developed a love of hunting and fishing. Some of his fondest memories were of hunting trips to Colorado, Texas and Alabama with his best friend, Roger Wilemon. After recovering from open heart surgery in December of 2021, he had the pleasure of living farm life vicariously through his brother, Ricky’s farm.
      Virgil leaves behind his loving wife of 48 years, Diane Tucker Smith. Virgil helped raise his two children, Gerald (married to Jennifer Lowe) and Courtney Simon (married to Derek Simon). He played an important part in the lives of his 6 grand children, Sierra, Abigail and Raegan Smith and Stella, Oliver and Emory Simon.
      He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends and will always be remembered in their hearts.