Virgil Smith

Virgil Smith completed his journey and went to be with God on Saturday, June 2, 2018. 

He was born to Arvice Lee Smith and Clarence Bratton on June 6, 1937 in Atchison, Kansas.  Although he was born inn Kansas, Virgil spent most of his life in Missouri.  He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended the George Washington Carver Elementary School and Lincoln High School.  The district of 18th and Vine and the old Gem Theater was Virgil’s old “stomping ground.”  He took great pleasure in showing this community to Mary, his wife, when they traveled to Missouri after their marriage.

Virgil Smith and Mary P. Asieduwah were married on April 6, 2012.  They were introduced by a mutual friend, Samuel, who is from Ghana, as is Mary.  Samuel looks upon Mary as his “adopted” mother.  He worked with Virgil, and as he got to know and respect him, he introduced him to Mary, who lived in New Jersey.  After a long courtship, including many, many phone calls and prayers, Mary agreed to come to Columbus and marry Virgil.  They lived happily on the South Side for six years in the home Virgil purchased for himself and his bride.

As a young adult, Virgil joined the U.S. Army and found himself stationed in Germany.  He worked in artillery with training in field operations.  He lived in numerous places throughout his life and had many diverse jobs.  At the time of his death, Virgil worked for U.S. Security Associates, Inc.  The staff there shared what a fine man and worker Virgil was – one who was respected and will be greatly missed.  This is the story told by all who knew and worked with him.  In 2007 a young student who worked with Virgil at A&F Cleaning wrote a story for his school paper entitled “Virgil, The Man.”

Virgil loved to learn.  He was an avid reader who took classes at Aenon Bible College and also completed a course of studies in Forensic Science from Stratford Career Institute in Washington, D.C.  He was involved in and supported Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and was an outspoken proponent for Black Lives Matter. 

Virgil’s infectious smile and huge loving heart will be greatly missed by Mary, former colleagues, and his and Mary’s many friends and church family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the United Methodist Church for All People, 946 Parsons Avenue (located at the corner of Parsons and Whittier).

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