Marie Cleante Smith

Marie Cléante (Stephen) Smith, 94 years old of Duval, Haiti, West Indies, transitioned peacefully at home on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 12:45 a.m. EST, surrounded by her many loved ones. She was born into this world on June 1, 1929, to the late Rose Jeudi (mother) and Henrisca Pierre (father), sharecroppers and landowners in Duval. There she received her education, and later, in her late teens left home to work with the nuns at Mère Lalue Convent in Port-au-Prince. She eventually learned how to sew and that led her to the career of a seamstress.

Cléante married Macaire Louis Smith, the love of her life, on August 16, 1956. They were the best of friends. They had five children: Daniel Pierre Phillipe Smith, Marie-Hélène Smith, Joseph Maker Smith, Karine Smith (Jean-vil Joseph) and Louis Hugo Smith (Bevon Barrett-Smith) along with two stepchildren Jeanine Moise and Rodrigue Thibaud Smith (deceased). She and her husband emigrated to Glencoe, Illinois in 1968 to carve a brighter and promising future for their family. Over the years she worked tirelessly to ensure her family’s well-being and education for her children. While caring for her family in the US, she was busy petitioning for other relatives in Haiti to come to the United States in search of a better future. She was such a warm, giving and welcoming soul and was always eager to help others. She embraced everyone she crossed paths with because of her love of others!

In January of 1991, Cléante and Louis relocated to Lehigh Acres, Florida where they remained until the end of their days. A vast majority of her retirement years was spent gardening, cooking and welcoming family and friends into her home for a great meal and unmatched hospitality. Her cooking was primarily to feed her family, friends and neighbors. She fed EVERYONE: the gardener, the plumber, the pest control guy, the repairman, etc., and a bottle of Rhum Barbancourt (Haitian Rum) for each of these guys and the mailman at Christmas. She loved to watch people eat her fabulous cuisine, whether it was the most basic soup “pain blanc” (bread soup), rice and beans, meats or baked goods, it was always about feeding folks!

She was a woman of God. From an early age, she worked at a convent with the nuns and from there she had a chance to strengthen her relationship with God even more. Before she did anything she consulted with God. Throughout her life, she made it a point to direct her children on the path to God.

God was FIRST AND FOREMOST in her life. Her favorite words: “I don’t know why God loves me so much”. Cléante prayed until the very end of her life. She didn’t make a gesture without invoking God, including before drinking a glass of water, thanking God and doing the sign of the cross! Her behavior exemplified her love and devotion to God!

She was a strong personality, a force to be reckoned with, yet a very tender soul. Everyone who knew her, felt her big heart and giving nature.

She is preceded in death by her husband Louis Smith, her parents, most of her siblings and a host of relatives. Of her more than ten siblings, Cléante is survived by her only remaining sister Anne Exina Pierre. She is also survived by all of her children, as well as Rosita Camela Fagan. Her grandchildren: Lynn Moise Ramos (Paul Ramos), Miriam Moise Bell (Terron Bell), Kevin Smith, Nadjeda Jovanne Smith, Joshua Smith, Chanelle Renae Smith, Rianne Kayonie Smith, Aliyah Lynn Ramos, Pauly Raphael Ramos, Tyler Jasmine Bell, Taelynn Shannon Bell, Mason Cory Bell, Ashley Doreen Fagan and Stacey Monique Fagan and a countless number of family members and loved ones.

The entire family of Marie Cléante (Stephen) Smith would like to acknowledge all the kind expressions of sympathy and love that has been extended to us. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel toward all of our family, friends and all who have reached out to console us during this time of bereavement.

A visitation for Marie will be held Friday, July 7, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2514 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971. A burial will occur Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Smith family.