April Victoria Smith

April Victoria Smith, age 31, of Biloxi, Miss., previously of Jefferson City, Mo., peacefully passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Merit Health Hospital in Biloxi with her mother by her side and surrounded by the love and prayers of all of her family and friends. April was born on August 1, 1990, in Ft. Payne, Ala., the daughter of Terry Lee Smith and Victoria Inez Hale. April attended Jefferson City High School and Jefferson City Academic Center, where she was very involved in the choir. After graduation, she took college courses at Lincoln University. April was an extremely hard worker from a young age. When she was younger, she worked for both Hyvee and JoAnn Fabrics. Most recently, April worked as an Account Manager at Buddy's Home Furnishing in Biloxi. April was involved with the Bikers for Babies organization and was passionate about supporting various charitable groups. A lover of aquatic creatures, she enjoyed aquariums and traveling to Destin, Fla. She especially liked seeing turtles and dolphins. She was very talented and had a gift for drawing and music. In her free time, April played video games and cherished the relationships she formed with her gaming friends. Most of all, April loved her family more than anything, especially when it came to her nieces and nephews. She loved visiting her family both in Missouri and Alabama and she brought a warm hug, a competitive gaming edge and a calming presence to any gathering. Survivors include: her loving boyfriend, Randy Herring of Biloxi, Miss.; her mother, Victoria Hale of Argyle, Mo.; her sister, Amber N. Adams of Sandrock, Ala.; her step-siblings, Kristen Smith of Ala., Brandon Smith of Ala., and Timothy Murray of Mo.; her nieces and nephews, Tristyn, Kaylee, and Cooper McDougle, Riley Norris, Timothy Murray, Brandon Smith, and Kristen Smith; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. April was preceded in death by her step-father, Robert T. Murray; one sister, Kendra Smith; uncles, Randy Smith and Donnie Hale; and her grandparents, Wilma D. Mueller, Kenneth Smith, Robert Mueller, and Muriel Hale. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Monday, October 11, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Steven Webb officiating. Private graveside services and interment will be conducted at Pacific Cemetery in Pacific, Mo. to lay April to rest beside her sister, Kendra. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the April Smith Memorial Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com