Cleatrice Smith was born on July 7, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri to Willie Mae Ford-Smith. She received her formal education from the public school system in St. Louis.

Cleatrice worked for Bank of America where she retired in 1990. She later worked for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services in Richardson, Texas for 10 years as a Clerical Assistant.

On December 24, 2018, Cleatrice heard the voice of the Heavenly Father say, "Come unto me and rest" and she went home to live in her home in the Heavenly Kingdom.

She leaves to cherish her memories, four children: Kim Hampton-Vance, William Moore, Tyrone Smith and Diane McReynolds; six grandchildren: Alafia Moore, Christy Smith, LaShonda McReynolds, Monica Hampton, Kenny Smith, and LaToya McReynolds; sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.