Judith Smith

On a beautiful Monday afternoon, a long and courageous fight against cancer.  Judy walked pain free from this life into the next.  She was met by the loving arms of her Savior and the love of her life, David.

Judy was born in Newport News, Virginia and lived in Wilmington, North Carolina and Oak Ridge, Tennessee before the family came home to Waynesville.  Judy was raised between Waynesville and Fines Creek and was a graduate of Waynesville Township High School, with a major in music.  She first attended Mars Hill and then Western Carolina University, where she met the love of her life and was married in 1960.

After college, Judy traveled the nation and was the proud wife of a Navy Aviator.  She would beam as she told memories of their time spent in places from Pensacola, Florida, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Corpus Christi, Texas and the west coast, which she claimed was her favorite.  Alameda, California and Whidbey Island, Washington bring in the top five.  They returned home to the mountains in 1983.

She was a lifelong student and worked as a realtor and secretary but found her passion teaching elementary age students.  She taught at Central Elementary, Junaluska and Hazelwood schools.

Judy was very active in her community and served on the Fines Creek Board, Fines Creek Fire Department Board and was over the Manna Food Bank program.  She always went above and beyond for her family, friends and community.

She was exceptionally loving and kind and never met a stranger.  She would tell someone, “Just call me Mamaw, everyone does."

She left a beautiful mark on this earth and leaves behind a host of family and friends to celebrate her memory and carry on her legacy.  Her quick wit and sense of humor will be missed, the way she lit up every room she walked into.  Judy lived the kind of life to aspire to and set an amazing example for all who knew her and loved her.

Judy was the daughter of the late Ben Messer and Leila Kirkpatrick Mease and her husband, White Mease; in addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, David Smith.

Left to celebrate her life are son, Jefferson Smith, and his wife, Connie; daughters, Laura Shipman, Kazandra Flesch, and her husband, Brandon; grandchildren, Casey Burris, Abigail Shipman, Lleyton Shipman, Isaac Shipman; great-grandchildren, Kimberly Shuler, Colby Freeman, Lane, Alice and Adam Flesch; along with a multitude of adopted kids and grandkids that "Mamaw" adopted over the years that were as special as her family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the office of Dr. Heaberlin, Haywood EMS and Haywood Hospice for the excellent care and compassion that has been shown over the last 18 months.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022, in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Laura Jones officiating.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the funeral home.

The care of Mrs. Smith has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.