Pauline Craig Smith was born in IXL, Oklahoma on January 21, 1926.  She was the ninth child of twelve, born to Jones C. and Arlie Montgomery Craig.

Pauline completed her elementary and secondary education at IXL Community School, IXL, Oklahoma.  She graduated from Boley High School in 1940.  She was accepted into Philander Smith College, a private Methodist Historically Black College in Little Rock, Arkansas on a one-year scholarship.  She transferred in her sophomore year to Paul Quinn College, another private Historically Black Methodist College in Dallas, Texas. In 1944, she returned to Philander Smith for her junior year and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.  She also received her Master's Degree from California State University, Hayward, California in Special Education.  Pauline later pursued her Doctor's Degree, but did not complete it; however, she was recognized and compensated for having a Ph.D. equivalent.

She gave her life to Christ at an early age, uniting with Pleasant Hill AME Church, IXL, Oklahoma under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Brokenburr.   Upon moving to Oakland, California, Pauline joined Parks Chapel AME Church serving faithfully until her health began to fail.  During her lifetime of service, she served in several capacities to include Sunday School Teacher, Announcement Clerk, Class Leader, Youth Leader, Choir Member, Usher, Trustee, Steward, Steward Pro Tem, and Steward Emeritus. Pauline made church history by serving as the longest tenured Steward Pro Tem, being appointed to the position in 1989 and serving distinctly in that role for nearly 30 years, under the leadership of six pastors.  In 2019, she was appointed Steward Emeritus.  During her trips and extended stay in Oklahoma, she attended Voice of Praise Baptist Church with her nephew and niece.

Pauline united in holy matrimony to Harold Smith on July 10, 1965.  Harold passed away on May 11, 1974.

Pauline began working for the Veterans Administration in San Francisco in 1945 in an Administrative Office position.  She later was offered a job as a civilian with the 406 ^th Medical General Laboratory of the United States Army in Tokyo, Japan.  While there, she became a member of the Japanese - English Speaking Society, where she taught English language to both parents and children on the military base.   Pauline returned to the United States in 1957 and resumed working for the federal government in San Francisco.   In 1966, Pauline began working in the field of education as a Teacher-Counselor in General Education Development for Oakland Manpower Services. She later received her Standard Teaching Credential with a specialization in secondary Teaching with the Richmond Unified School District of Contra Costa County where she taught junior high school.  In 1974, she became a full-time teacher with the Oakland Unified School District and taught Special Ed at Oakland High School. Pauline retired from the Oakland Unified School District in 1997.

Pauline Smith was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Rite of Adoption for the State of California in Beulah Chapter #24 in 1952.  When Beulah surrendered their Charter, Sister Smith transferred her membership to Queen Esther #4.  She served as an Advisor to the Worthy Matrons/ Patrons Study Club for many years and was often called on to perform as Queen Sheba in the Queen of the South Degree.  She also, in her most elegant/sassy voice, served the Golden State Grand Chapter as the Grand Oratress and as a Grand Officer.  Sister Pauline, as she was affectionately known, was also a member of the Heroines of Jericho in Golden Gate Court #4.   She served the Court as Most Ancient Matron, which is the highest-ranking officer of the Court.  Daughter Smith was also a member of Menelik Court #53 of the Daughters for the Imperial Court and also a Loyal Lady and a member of Victoria Assembly #25.  Pauline was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Her favorite pastime was playing bingo and dominoes.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Jones C. and Arlie (Montgomery) Craig; her husband Harold Smith; stepchildren Pamela Smith Brown and Ruth Noreen Smith; and her 11 siblings:  Rebecca Simpkins, Pierson Craig, Laura Johnson, Ludie Dukes, Genola Williams, Persia Craig, Jones C. Craig, Geneva Brown, Arlene Robinson, Henry Craig, and an infant baby boy.

Pauline leaves to cherish her memories:  her caretakers/special nephew and niece, Floyd and Pam Ramsey; beloved nieces Latania Craig Hinchen (Lonnie) and Debbie Craig; godson Alfred Overn Parham II (Veronica), goddaughter Jakari Bowie; stepchildren, Harold Stephen Smith and Marc Smith; and a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends, along with her church families, Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland, California and Voice of Praise Baptist Church of Oklahoma City.

On January 1, 2023, Pauline, the Matriarch of a Generational Era finished the course, she gained her wings and is now resting in Heaven's Glory.

From the words of Pauline Craig Smith, "The Craig women never reveal their ages."

Date of Birth (official records):  January 21, 1926

Date of Birth (family records):  January 21, 1923

Services will be Saturday January 21, 2023 at 10AT at Prospect Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be Friday from 2PM until 6PM at Rolfe Funeral Home in Oklahoma City.