Vennie Smith

Obituary of Vennie SmithVennie Cornelius Smith was born on January 27, 1933 on the beautiful island of Jamaica, West Indies to Sarah Gibson Martin and Hopeton Smith. He died on October 25, 2010 at Hospice's Tuscany House in Summerfield, Florida. Vennie's Early years were spent in Clarendon, Jamaica, where he graduated high school and attended trade school, specializing in carpentry. In 1955 he migrated to England, where he worked as a coal miner, public transportation driver and a postal carrier. In 1972, after spending time in England, U.K., he migrated to Brooklyn, New York where he worked at the Methodist and Long Island Hospitals as a maintenance engineer. During this time he met and married his adoring wife, Mable; They married in 1980 after a four year courtship. Vennie and Mable were inseparable, wherever you saw Vennie, Mable was right by his side. They did everything together. In 1991, Vennie and Mable relocated to Ocala, Florida. He became a member of the Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church, a member of the Cricket and Social Club and the Silver Springs Shores Residence Association. He also volunteered his time delivering "meals on wheels" to the shut-ins in the Shores Community, hosted by the Presbyterian Church, and was a keen volunteer with the community. Vennie was a friendly man who got along with his neighbors and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a "jack of all trades" always busy fixing something, the "go to guy" when a D.I.Y. project needed that expert eye. He liked to laugh and had an infectious smile; it was difficult to stay mad at him for long. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mable Smith; children, Rosemarie Smith of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Elaine Smith of Jamaica and Carol Smith, Barrington Smith and Audrey Smith all of the United Kingdom; brother, Bill Smith of Jamaica; sister, Daisy McKenzie of Kissimmee, Fl; 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Smith. We will greatly miss him, as will his many family members, friends and associates. Visitation will be held at ROBERTS FUNERAL HOMES, Bruce Chapel East (2739 SE Maricamp Rd. Ocala 352-732-9944) on Friday (October 29th) from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church (674 Silver Road, Ocala) on Saturday (October 30th) at 11AM. Interment will follow at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, Ocala.

Vennie Smith

January 27, 1933 - October 25, 2010