Glenda Cleveland was born Glenda Faye Smith on February 16, 1955 in Carthage, Mississippi, the youngest daughter of Sullivan and Louise Smith. Her father was a farmer and was also a teacher at a black public school near Carthage.
Glenda's childhood was difficult. She grew up in a five-room house that she shared with her parents and nine other siblings. The house lacked indoor plumbing and heat, and was warmed by a fireplace in the living room that offered little respite from the frigid winters of central Mississippi. Her father struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, but managed to provide for his family, while instilling a strong work ethic, integrity and Christian values.
Glenda was extremely smart and excelled in school. After graduating from high school, she briefly attended Tougaloo College, but left before graduating to become a mother to her only child Sandra, whom she named after a sister who passed away from an illness at a young age.
There were times when her parents and older siblings expressed disappointment that she did not complete her college education. One of her older sisters had completed her doctorate in Psychology, and another sister had earned a business degree and worked in an executive-level management position for an automobile manufacturer. Glenda lived her life on her own terms and made it a priority to be a good mother and provider for her daughter.
"Even though she migrated to Milwaukee shortly after the birth of her daughter, she still had a delicate voice tinged with a Southern drawl. I often spent the night at Glenda's house. Her daughter Sandra and I were the same age. Glenda loved completing difficult crossword puzzles. She was also a voracious reader and could hold a conversation with the most intellectual or the most ordinary individuals. Glenda was the most beautiful person inside and out. She met people where they were, without judgment or criticism . His kind heart and gracious nature were genuine." Allyson Soares, Glenda's cousin.