Calestine Rogers Smith was born on January 31, 1928 in Bluff Dale, Texas to Jim and Loree Like Rogers. She was the eldest of four children, followed by brother, James Lothell, and sisters, Barbara Lynn and Joyce Faye. She grew up on a farm in Erath County, attending Bluff Dale School and Stephenville High School. When she was 18, she met and married Harold Lloyd Smith of Fort Worth, Texas, following a three month courtship. Harold had just returned from active duty in World War II. For a while, they lived with his parents Roy and Lillian Smith, on Oakhurst Drive in Fort Worth, while they literally built their own home on Dana Drive, in Haltom City. Son, Larry Gene was born on January 9, 1948, and nearly four years later, daughter Glenda Kay was born on November 1, 1951. At this point the family moved to a farm in North Richland Hills, and thirteen months later, second daughter, Brenda Faye was born on December 21, 1952. Here the family stayed for 33 years.

Having been raised on a farm, Calestine was well equipped to handle many of the chores. In fact, Harold worked a full time job in a factory, and she carried much of the load on the farm. She was an excellent cook and seamstress as well. She made clothes for herself and her daughters, as well as making Western suits and shirts for her husband and son.

She saw that her children were involved in extra-curricular activities, including 4-H, and Boy Scouts, and was the leader for daughter Glenda's Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls troops. She never learned to swim, so made sure that her children did. When all three reached High School age, she took a job at Hancock Fabrics, and became the assistant manager of that store.

As a child, she was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Bluff Dale. After marrying Harold she became a member of the Riverside Advent Christian Church in Fort Worth. Upon moving to East Texas in 1984, she and her husband became active at Rocky Branch Baptist Church, where they were attending when she became ill.

Harold retired from Menasco at the age of sixty and they bought another farm in Naples, Texas. They were initially drawn to the area because of their love of fishing. They soon bought a fishing boat and spent as much time at local lakes as possible.

Calestine could be described as hard-working and independent. Her husband, Harold, was the love of her life and they were married 70 years last May, quite a record. Calestine died on August the 15th, 2016 at her home, following a brief illness.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, her son, Larry Gene, and a sister Joyce Halbert. She is survived by her husband, Harold, of the home; daughters, Glenda (Brent) Carpenter of Mint Hill, NC, and Brenda (Robert) Avara of Naples; grandchildren , Tonya Leguizamo, Nathan Smith, C. Scott Carpenter, Chad Carpenter, Brian Carpenter, Jerrie Carlile, Misty Barron, Jeremy Avara, Robert Avara, Susie Rainey and Rick Avara; 19 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Rocky Branch with Rev. Brent Carpenter and Rev. Ricky Knight officiating. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery in Naples. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016, at Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church.