Clarice Thomas Smith

Clarice Thomas Smith was born on December 25, 1925, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was the youngest daughter of the late William and Lunetta Thomas and the last surviving member of the Thomas family. She is preceded in death by her husband Howard S. Smith, her four sisters Virginia Palmer Watford, Lucille Wilson, Sally Stokes, Doris Edwards, and her younger brother Alvin Thomas.

Clarice was educated in the public schools of Norfolk, Virginia, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, and was a member of St. Mark RZUA Church. She married the love of her life,

Howard S. Smith shortly before he was drafted to serve overseas in World War 2. She moved to New York and took wartime factory jobs at Emerson Electronics, Phillips Electronics and volunteered at the Red Cross which demonstrated her patriotic support in the war effort. When her husband returned home from the war they settled down in Bronx, New York, raised three daughters, and were happily married for forty-four years. She was happy to be the central figure in her children’s lives and always stressed the importance of giving them a good education. She worked as a Provider Mother and took care of school age children in her home for more than twenty years until she decided to retire.

Clarice loved the game of baseball and was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan until the team moved to California and then she became a die-hard fan of the New York Yankees. She enjoyed watching baseball games on television and cheering for her favorite teams. She was an excellent cook and loved preparing our favorite meals and hosting dinners for extended family during the holidays. She was famously known for her macaroni and cheese, collard greens, sweet potato pies and sweet rolls.

Clarice enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, and listening to all kinds of music. She had a keen eye for fashion, loved to go shopping, dressing up for special occasions and accessorizing her outfits with a coordinated hat, shoes, and pocketbook. She was blessed with a long and happy life and enjoyed spending time with her children and granddaughter.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Deborah Smith Keyes (husband Eric); Renee Smith, Lorae Smith; her granddaughter Tamira Smith; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, along with numerous relatives, friends, and neighbors.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, 10:00a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

A reception will follow after services.