Virgil (Gene) Eugene Smith

Virgil Eugene Smith (Gene), 85, of Dublin died on June 16, 2020 following an extended illness. Mr. Smith was born May 22, 1935 in Sugar Valley, GA. He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil G. Smith, and mother, Sallie Norrell Smith.

Mr. Smith graduated from Decatur High School for Boys.  After graduation he joined the Air Force, serving the majority of his tour of duty on Guam. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Upon his completion of service, he attended Southern Tech where he studied mechanical engineering. He was a member of the tennis and golf teams. He also took classes from Georgia Tech. He began his career with the American Monorail Company of Cleveland, Ohio in the Atlanta office working initially as a draftsman, sales engineer, and lastly district manager for the Georgia office.  After seventeen years in this field, he moved his family to middle Georgia to be near family. He owned and operated a hardware store in Soperton for five years, then began working with the Department of Corrections. He retired from Montgomery Correctional Institute as Business Manager in 2000.

Mr. Smith met his wife during the period he was stationed at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah. They were introduced at Bull Street Baptist Church where she was a member. They married on December 17, 1961 at Briarcliff Baptist Church in Decatur. That union produced two children. Gene Smith's passion was golf throughout his lifetime. He spent many hours on the links with friends and family. Poor health eventually made it necessary for him to find other hobbies. He turned that passion to woodworking, photographing, and technology. He loved his family and his church family. He was a member of Evergreen United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Cherrie Currie Smith; son, Douglas Smith (Melissa) of Salisbury, NC;

daughter, Andrea Smith of Dublin, sister, Sara Evans of Thomson; granddaughter, Hannah Smith of  Salisbury, NC; and numerous nephews and nieces. 

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Wheeler County. Rev. Larry Giles will officiate.

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