Clara Beatrice Smith
May 29, 1923 ~ September 5, 2025
Born in:
Harrisburg, IL
Resided in:
San Antonio, Texas
Clara B. Smith, affectionately called “Billie” began her life’s journey on May 29, 1923 in Harrisburg, Illinois to the union of Thelma Evans and Steiner Jackson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather’s Phillip Rodman, Harold Gray, daughter, Donna Cisco Mahone and her husband, Walter L. Smith, the love of her life.
Clara was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was also a member of The Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Golden Life Member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, among numerous other memberships. She was the 1st Black to organize a Girl Scout/Brownie Troop in East St. Louis,Illinois that was sponsored by The Las Amigas Civic and Social Club. She also developed a “Substitute Teaching Guide” that was sold in Texas and other States. She was employed with the United States Government from 1945-1971 with breaks in service. She retired from teaching in the Northside Independent School District after sixteen years.
Precious memories will be cherished by daughter, Patricia (Wayman) Thornton of Illinois, son, David (Robin) Toney of Maryland, and Constance D. Smith of Texas. Grandchildren: Jacquelyn Jones, South Carolina, Shanah Gibson, North Carolina, David (Faith) Henderson of Texas, Tamara (James) Riley, Amanda (Christopher) Johnson and David (Arisa) Toney Jr all of Maryland, sister in laws: Gloria Barber of North Carolina, Darlene Ware of Alabama, brother-in-law Aubrey Smith of Alabama; twenty two great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, niece, Sharold Lewis of Michigan, bonus niece, Bernadette Officer of Illinois, the 2300 Jackson Family, best friends Alma Norment, Ruth Nelson, Karla Broadus, Brenda Anderson, Pat Thielemann and the neighbors of Walnut Woods Cul de Sac.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Al pha Tau Omega Senior Opportunity Services of Texas, Inc. and St. Paul United Methodist Church Legacy
Services
Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony: Thursday, September 25, 2025 10:00 am - 10:30 am
St. Paul United Methodist Church
508 N. Center St.
San Antonio, TX 78202
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2025-09-25 10:00:00
2025-09-25 10:30:00
ClaraBeatriceSmithIvy Beyond the Wall Ceremony
Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony
508 N. Center St.,San Antonio, TX 78202
Visitation: Thursday, September 25, 2025 10:30 am - 11:00 am
St. Paul United Methodist Church
508 N. Center St.
San Antonio, TX 78202
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2025-09-25 10:30:00
2025-09-25 11:00:00
ClaraBeatriceSmithVisitation
Visitation
508 N. Center St.,San Antonio, TX 78202
Funeral Service: Thursday, September 25, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
St. Paul United Methodist Church
508 N. Center St.
San Antonio, TX 78202
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America/Chicago
2025-09-25 11:00:00
2025-09-25 12:00:00
ClaraBeatriceSmithFuneral Service
Funeral Service
508 N. Center St.,San Antonio, TX 78202
Cemetery: Thursday, September 25, 2025 1:00 pm
Room: Shelter #1
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX
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2025-09-25 13:00:00
2025-09-25 13:00:00
ClaraBeatriceSmithCemetery
Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.,San Antonio, TX
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Life is good to have the privilege to know Mrs. Clara Smith. Our lives intertwine before I even realized it thanks to her friendship with my former mother in Law back in East St. Louis.