C. F. Smith grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward. He attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where in 1938 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Industries with an emphasis in electrical engineering. After a brief period during which he was the first black movie projectionist in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Smith served in the Navy Seabees during World War II. He returned to Houston after his discharge from service, and in 1943 became the first African American to pass the City of Houston Electrician’s exam. In 1945, Smith opened his business, the C. F. Smith Electric Co. In addition to his business, Smith has been involved in various community organizations throughout his life, from the Boy Scouts to the Houston chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors. He was an active member of the Tuskegee Institute Alumni group. He died in 1989.

Eva Hortense Dugar was born September 19, 1916 to Richard and Adeline Dugar of Houston, Texas. She attended Crawford Elementary School and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in 1933. She went on to study at Xavier University in New Orleans where she graduated in 1937. In 1942 She was married to C.F. Smith. They had 2 daughters, Patricia Smith Prather and Brenda Smith Long. An active member of her community and church, she served as a leader of the Girl Scouts in Houston, Texas. She was member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church. She served as a National Officer for the Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Peter Claver, a Catholic organization. She served as a volunteer for the March of Dimes. She was also a member of the school of Ikebana of Houston, which is the Japanese art form of arranging flowers which brings nature and humanity into harmony. Despite being a mother and housewife she returned to pursue her graduate studies at Prairie View A&M University. She preceded her husband in 1983 and is buried at Paradise Cemetery in Houston, Texas.