Jeraldine Smith Bowie was born on May 15, 1947 to the late Eddie Lee Smith and Rebecca Smith in Birmingham, AL.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age at the Lily Grove Baptist Church, Rev. Ambus Hill, Pastor. Upon moving to Montgomery, AL, she united with Bethany SDA Church. She was an active member of the Usher Board and the Chancellor Choir. She was a fervent servant
of the Lord and faithful in her Christian duties and beliefs.

She had a propensity to reach out to those who was alone and in need. As a child, she would invite people to our home for Sunday dinner, which her mother welcomed too. Throughout her life, she would promote the welfare of her community. As a teenager, in 1963, she eagerly became involved with the Civil Rights Movement, and marched in many protests against segregation. She went to jail during that time but continued to support the Civil Rights Movement during her adult life. Upon completing her secondary at Parker High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State University. She would become a teacher and taught at various schools in Montgomery, Bullock and Lowndes Counties. In 1998, she received a Masters in Education from Alabama State University. She continued to teach and care for her special education students until her retirement. She often talked about meeting some of her students later in life, which she enjoyed as they shared with her their life stories.

Jeraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Lee and Rebecca Smith; her husband, Andrew Bowie and her older brother, Charles H. Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Lydell L. Garfield, her sister, Vannette Braddock (Reginald); nephew, Rodney Braddock; niece, Erica Braddock; sisters in law, Cynthia White Jones (Lowell), Carrie Smith and Thelma Holmes; cousins, Mack West (Faye), Dorothy Curry, and Angela Smith Martin; brother to family, Tommy Davis; stepchildren, Thelisa Tolliver, Quentin Hardy, and Sherborn Bowie; grandchildren, Shamyia and Kiarra Palmer and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.