Born on July 27, 1923, Frank W. Smith was the third of six children of William Stephen Smith Sr. and Lottie Juanita (Gallegher) Smith, five of whom survived into adulthood. Frank Smith was born in Washington, DC, and for most of his life, he lived in DC proper, located in the Maryland suburbs, only two or three times. Frank Smith was the last of his siblings. His brothers Roland Blair Smith Sr., Joel Smith, and William Smith Jr., and sister Yvonne (Smith) Duncan predeceased him.

He frequently recounted the story of how he was disabled by polio as a child and learned to walk again, attributing this to his eldest brother Roland, who took him walking almost everywhere. This led to a lifetime of fitness in his everyday life, including his work. He served in the US Army during World War II, beginning his military service on March 13, 1943, at the age of 19. His tour of duty included the US, England and France. He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945, shortly after the war ended. He began working at the US Bureau of Engraving in the following years. He married Geneva (Harris) Smith, and from that union, Gylda (Smith) Clark was born in 1950. His firstborn, Gylda, predeceased him in 2009. Divorced from his first wife, he met and married Cynthia Colemon. LaShawn Nicole and Leco were born
from that union. He was a "girls' dad" who noted on his daughters and loved sharing stories about their goals and accomplishments. He was equally excited to regale others with stories about his grandchildren. He was quite generous with his time and affection, making time for his nieces and nephews.

After his employment at the Bureau of Engraving, he held retail jobs. He worked in the garden section of a Memco Department store. From that experience, combined with his love of being outdoors and physically active, he established his landscaping business, which he operated successfully for over 25 years. His landscaping business also became a family affair. As a teenager, his eldest granddaughter, Sopharest, began working with him and did so for several years. He never shied away from hard work and maintained his physical activity and fitness with the rigors required of his business. In his 70s, he didn't hesitate to give pull -up and push up exhibitions, challenging young men to see if they could match or exceed his ability.

He also loved to dance; one of his favorite dance partners was his sister Yvonne. As a young adult, he drove a fancy car (a red convertible), yet walking remained a significant part of his life. Retired and in his 80s, family and friends often reported him walking through the neighborhood to and from Takoma, DC, and Silver Spring, Maryland, about four miles round trip.

He leaves behind daughters LaShawn Nicole Smith (Michael Wright) and Leco Hyman; granddaughters Sopharest Moten, Scherniqua Frasier (Keshawn), Shawntez Smith, Shawntese Smith, Sade Thompson (Darrean Thompson), Shaleya Johnson, and Shayla Johnson; grandson Aric Johnson; great-grandchildren Laniyah Cunningham, Tristan Frasier, and Tyler Frasier; nieces Diane Smith, Anita Smith Hawkins (Edward), and Linda Leftrict (Fred); nephews John Duncan Jr. (Paula) and Roland B. Smith Jr. (Valerie) and a host of other relatives and friends.