This hand lettered monument marks the final earthly resting place of Virgel Smith III.
Marker Text:
Virgil Smith III
Sunrise January 29. 1941
Sunset July 28, 2012
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Virgel Smith III
Birth: Jan. 29, 1941
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, USA
Death: Jul. 28, 2012
Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA
Virgel Smith III, 71, received his reward of eternal rest on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Seton Medical Center, in Austin, Texas.
Virgel was born January 29, 1941, at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas to the union of Eurthea Joiner and Virgel Smith. He attended public school in the Galveston area and later graduated high school at Lincoln High School in La Marque, Texas: a proud member of the class of 1959.
Virgel was an outstanding football player during his high school years and an avid, lifelong sports fan, venturing last summer to see the Dallas Cowboys facility in Arlington, Texas. Virgel was a retired officer and member of the Longshoreman ILA Local #1504 in Galveston, Texas.
Virgel was a former member of the Bell Zion Church in LaMarque, Texas and First Union Baptist Church in Galveston where his father-in-law, Rev. J.A. Wrenn, was pastor.
Virgel was an active member of the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He attended often and served faithfully in the Senior Ministry. Virgel was a true praying man.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and grandson Virgel James "Cudda" Stoker.
Left with cherished memories are his wife, Elizabeth Wrenn Smith of Texas City; children, Janiece Smith Manning (Rev. Steve), Virgel IV, Jacqueline and Jennifer Smith; Grandchildren Matthew and Denise Manning, Rev. Marrquell, Tarrance and Me'Nike Jones; Great Grandchild
Addison Lynn Stoker; sisters Betty Robertson,(A.C.), Esther Smith, Geraldine Carter (Rev. Lawrence), and Brenda Smith; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to his doctors, Dr. Jack Moncrief, Dr.Michael Mueller, Dr.Shad DeBaggi, and Dr. David Pierce; the clinic, staff and patients of the Moncrief Dialysis Unit; and all of his caregivers throughout the years.
Visitation will be held on Thursday August 2, 2012, from 12pm to 7pm. The service celebrating his life and legacy will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10am at King-Tears Mortuary Chapel in Austin, TX, with Pastor A.W.A. Mays officiating. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 4, 2012, 11:00 a.m., in Rising Star Cemetery, La Marque, Texas. Services entrusted to Barry J.W. "The Shepherd" Franklin @ A Life Celebration By Franklin.
(512)365-6000
Published August 2, 2012
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