Carmalla Denise Smith was born on December 17, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri to loving parent, Kay Francis Smith.

Carmalla found and accepted Jesus Christ as a young girl. Every Sunday she attended Bethel Pentecost Church in Granite City, Illinois. Here she gained a whole new family as her church family.

Carmalla was preceded in death by her brothers, Michael L. Smith and William C. Smith. She loved her family and loved being able to take care of them. She was a beautiful, happy, sweet, and charming person. She brought joy and love with her.

On Thursday morning, May 18, 2017, in Granite City, Illinois, Carmalla made her transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home. She leaves to cherish her memories, her mother, Shirley Smith of East St. Louis, Illinois, Tara Smith of Madison, IL, Tameka Smith of Madison, IL, Sharina Smith of Granite City, IL, DeAngelo Smith of Madison, IL, and Ariel Smith of O'Fallon, MO; her grandchildren, Jasmaine R. Wade, Bryan Newsome, Bryhem Smith, Martez Smith, Rahman Ali Childs, Carman Marian Lucas, Chontea Reynolds, Gloria Phillips, Tim Smith and Travion Swope; sisters, Olivia Herndedon of CA, Rhonda Smith of TX and Romona Sykes of Madison, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, numerous other relatives and dearest close family friends, Evelyn Cystrunk, Marion Lucas, Debra Armstring and Bonnie Bontrager, Ms. Cindy Economy, and Shenell Johnson.