Julius "Cephus" Smith was born on March 16, 1945 in Ruleville, MS to the late Johnny and Julia Smith.  He was the tenth child of eleven children.  Julius attended Ruleville Central High School where he was an excellent member of the basketball team.  He later attended Compton Community College where he received an Associate's Degree.

Julius actively participated in the Civil Rights Movement and marched alongside Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer and many other activists fighting for the right to vote.  Julius was inducted into the US Army in 1966 and was stationed in Germany as an Ammunition Removal Specialist.  After his discharge he moved to Los Angeles, CA where he met and married the love of his life Mattie Ann Ferguson and to this union two children were born ( Ontario and Shanell).  He was employed by Astronautics Corporation of America in Torrance, CA as an aircraft technician.

In 1989, he relocated to his hometown of Ruleville, MS, where he started his own business an independent contractor, electrician and plumber until his health began to fail.

Julius united with the New Jerusalem M.B. Church where he served as Sunday school teacher, church bus driver and deacon.  He worked dutifully and faithfully until his health no longer allowed him to do so.