Susan Smith was born on November 30, 1887, in Harnett County, North Carolina. Smith was a stenographer in Averasboro, North Carolina, who served as the chief clerk of the Harnett County Exemption Board during World War I. She later relocated to Raleigh where she operated Smith's Studio for a time and later worked with her sister in running McKay's Floral Gardens. Known popularly by her nickname "Sue," she was active with the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Smith died in Raleigh (Wake County) on August 1, 1968.