Smirtic was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA, on 19 January 1906, to parents Robert Joseph Wells and Geneva Gwynn.

Smirtic married three times. With her first husband, she had a son, William G. Snell. Her third and final husband was Joseph Frederick Smirtic.

Smirtic passed away in Marietta, Georgia, USA, on 10 December 2016, at the age of 110 years, 326 days. She was survived by her son, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.