Stanford was born August 3, 1935, in Trinity, TX to Mitchell and Claudia Smith. He graduated from Trinity High School and later attended Huston-Tillotson and Prairie View A & M, where he excelled in football, basket ball and track. Stanford was employed 15 years at UTMB and 30 years at the Shriners Hospital.

Deacon Smith professed Christ at an early age and united with Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and later joined Sunlight Baptist Church and has severed faithfully for 50 years and was a member of the Men Choir, Senior Choir, Sunday School and was ordained as a deacon by Rev A.C Tryon.

Stanford was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Naomi Smith; brothers, Charlie and Wesley Smith. He leaves to cherish his wonderful life, a very loving and devoted wife, Dorothy Smith; devoted sons, Stanley Smith (Tiffany) of Galveston, TX, Kenneth Smith (Cheryl) of Atlanta, GA, and Gray Smith (Toinette) of Pearland, TX;  brother, Moses Smith (Cheryl) of L a Marque, TX; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; special goddaughter, Rene Brown; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, as well as his Sunlight Church family and his work community.

Visitation will begin at 5 PM Friday, February 11th followed by a wake from 7-8 PM at Sunlight Baptist Church. A service celebrating the love and legacy of Deacon Smith will be held on Saturday also at the church with Pastor A.C. Tryon officiating. He will be laid to rest in Grace Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, TX.