Judith Ann Smith

Judith Ann Bennett

June 8, 1943 June 29, 2025

Judy was born during World War II at the Conley Family home in Slab Fork, WV Her dad once said “the war ended not long after her birth because our enemies did not want to fool with Judy”. He also jokingly said after Judy reached the age of five he knew he definitely didn’t want any more children. I was “accidentally” born a few years later.

Growing up, Judy would sometimes inherit the task of watching me when mom was busy. The first time I went to a movie theater it was Judy who took me. It was the old Palace Theater in downtown Beckley and the movie was “Davy Crockett.” She later took me to an Elvis Presley movie called “Love Me Tender.” ( She loved Elvis and in later years she would dress up as Elvis and sing “Blue Suede Shoes at the nursing homes or Commission on Aging). That movie was quite depressing because all the teenage girls attending busted out crying when Elvis got killed. Judy took up for me a few times when I had issues with the older boys in the neighborhood. She was one they didn’t want to mess with.I learned to jitterbug and twist because of Judy. When practicing her dance moves she always drafted me as a partner. I actually enjoyed it but I didn’t tell her that. Judy and my brother Tommy got married in the same month of November. Their weddings and departure awarded me my own room which was once shared with my siblings.

Judy married George Smith and they spent their early years in Cleveland, Ohio and Wilmington, Delaware. They were blessed with three sons-George,Jr. Jimmie (Kelly) and Dale. Her love for them was continuous and lasted until the day she died. She always said, “They’re not perfect but they have big hearts and they’re mine.” She shared that same love with her grandchildren Mathew, Steven, MaKayla, McKenzie, and Michael.Judy was always checking in with her daughter-in-law, Kathy, nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends. Freda (the daughter she never had), Kathy, Tammy, Norabelle, Iris, Joyce, and Pauline were just a few of her phone buddies whom she referred to as her angels.

Judy is the daughter of Aubrey and Bessie Bennett. She was preceded in death by her siblings Helen and Tommy, husband George Sr., son George Jr. and grandson Mathew.

She was so proud of her church family and the fellowship they shared. She couldn’t wait to get to church on Sunday Mornings. Pastors Lonnie Greer and Roger Smith were instrumental in her spiritual life and for that she was grateful. Dale Sharp and his wife Kim were her other “kids” who watched out for her when she needed something fixed or tended to.

Her husband George passed away in 2020. Judy took care of him the last few years of his life. When George went to a nursing home Judy never missed a day of attending and nurturing him. She did the same thing with her mother.

Four years ago she met “Red” Brock and immediately fell in love with him and his family. She and Red liked to spend time together at Fridays in the Park, the Commission on Aging and the Shady Spring Senior Center. Red’s daughter, Pam, was at Judy’s bedside when she passed.

Anybody that knew Judy knew she loved her bargain hunting. Sam’s, Walmart, Kohl's and FoodLion were Judy’s territory. She could find a bargain a mile away and Christmas shopping was a year round event. Her birthday parties were always special. Little did we know her most recent birthday would be her last here on earth. Food, music, gifts, friends and fellowship made her extremely happy.

Lastly, you might have noticed that sometimes Judy could be a little bossy...... we all knew the ones she bossed the most were the ones she loved the most.

Judy is now enjoying her time cooking, cleaning, and spending eternity with family and friends who have gone on before her. Goodbye my Judy, see you on the other side.

Your loving brother, Wayne.

Graveside services will be 12:00 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with Pastor Lonnie Greer and Pastor Roger Smith, Jr. officiating.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Judy’s memory.