Lorado Faye Smith-Harrell was born December 14, 1948 in Harwood, Texas. She was the only child born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Georgia Smith. Lorado received her education attending St. Peter Claver School shortly after relocating to San Antonio, Texas. Lorado entered the workforce and was employed for the Broadcasting Industry. She later became an entrepreneur as the founder and owner of Century Florist. Lorado was a person that loved to learn new things. She acquired a desire to learn more about the funeral industry and went on to attended San Antonio College, where she completed the Funeral Director’s course. After passing the Texas Funeral Director Commission Exam, she received her Funeral Directors License and was employed with the Carter-Taylor-Williams Mortuary as a Funeral Director for more than thirteen years.