Cleta Quillian Smith

Cleta Quillian Smith, 85, of West Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025.

Cleta spent many years working in sales within the landscaping industry, where her friendly nature and strong work ethic earned her the respect and affection of her colleagues and customers alike. She found great joy in volunteering at Lexington Medical Center, where she was known for her bright spirit and compassion. The staff fondly said of her, “She is always running down our long halls with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. She always has patients smiling by the time they reach their destination.”

Cleta is survived by her goddaughter, Alexandra Laughlin; great-goddaughter, Lily Rose Peak; and great-niece, Jordan Pye. She will be remembered for her warmth, her kindness, and the light she brought into every room she entered.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Gaston.

Cleta often shared her favorite line from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “Though she be small, she is fierce.” Those who knew her would agree—it captured her perfectly.