Billie Kay Smith

Billie Kay Smith of Ocala, Florida, passed away July 24, 2026, in Ocala. She was 77. Billie Kay was born on October 16,1948 to Berniece Roberts Voellinger and Willis Eugene Voellinger, Jr. of Macon, Georgia. She was a graduate of McEvoy High School, Class of 1966 Macon, Georgia and attended Georgia Southern University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. Billie Kay, or “BK” as she was often called, was a Marion County Public Schools Art teacher for thirty-three years; thirty of which were at North Marion Middle School, from which she retired in 2004. Throughout her teaching career, Billie Kay’s students excelled and were often awarded recognition at local and area shows. Special recognition came to Billie Kay when in 1994 she was selected North Marion Middle School Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for the1994 Marion County Public Schools Foundation Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award. Billie Kay was an accomplished professional artist who excelled in multiple media techniques. Her artwork has been collected throughout the South. Billie Kay was a devout Christian. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Ocala and The Women’s Christian Association of Ocala/Marion County. She was an avid supporter of the “My Daily Living with Father Chapin” television ministry. She is preceded in death by her parents Willis Eugene Voellinger, Jr. and Berniece Roberts Voellinger, Macon, Georgia; sisters BJ Adams and Sue Jaglowicz; niece Natasha McEldowney; brother-in-law Robert Bryner. Billlie Kay is survived by her fifty-eight years husband, John Smith; son Devon Smith and daughter-in-law Susan Hanson; daughter Amy Girod and son-in-law Frank Girod; grandchildren Wyatt Girod and Chloe Girod; sister-in-law Becky Bryner, sister-in-law Paulette Smith; brother-in-law Bill Smith; nieces Libby Bryner, Kristi Jaglowicz, Jodi Jaglowicz, Didi Adams; and cousins. A Celebration of Life program is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, August 15th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Ocala, Florida – 800 SE 41st Avenue, 34471 In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Daily Living P.O Box 339 Nitro, West Virginia 2513 Pre-addressed and stamped donation envelopes will be available at the Celebration ceremony.

Billie Kay Smith

October 16, 1948 - July 24, 2026