Smith Eanes was born on March 3rd, 1915 in Amelia, Virginia to William and Mollie Eames. Both of his parents were born in Virginia. His grandparents on his mother's side, Reuben and Kitty Price, were born in Virginia and may have been born into slavery (Kitty was born in 1852 and Reuben was born in 1847; both are listed in the census as "mulatto").
In 1930, Smith lived at 17 Overby Road in the area of Lockett Farm, Prince Edward County, Virginia, with his mother Mollie, and siblings Jasper, Cleveston, Harry, Vincent, and Nell.
By 1940, Smith had moved to New York City. In 1940, he was 25 years old and living as a lodger in Harlem on W. 147th Street. He paid his bills by working as a dishwasher at a restaurant.
Smith enlisted into the U.S. Army on February 26, 1942 at Fort Dix in New Jersey.