Judy Virginia Smith

Judy Virginia Watkins Smith was born in Warren, Ohio on February 20, 1938 to Bertha Lane and Virgil M. Watkins.  She passed away on November 5, 2018 into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ.   She was preceded in death by her parents Virgil Watkins and Bertha Neidhart, her brother John Neidhart, and former husband Milbourn Lile Smith. Judy is survived by her sister Jean Kuchta and husband Robert of Yucaipa, California, brother Douglas Neidhart and wife Bonnie of Tallmadge, Ohio, and brother Andrew Watkins and wife Beverly of Rockwell, TX, three daughters Laurie Finchum and husband Michael of Irving, TX, Lisa Dryer and husband Paul of DeSoto, TX, and Leslie Smith of Schererville, Indiana.  Judy was also blessed to have six grandchildren Jenna Williams and husband Nathan, Erin Sanchez and husband Darwin, Meagan Finchum, Allison Barger and husband Andrew, Katlyn Dryer, Nathan Strom and wife Asia, and eight great grandchildren, Ryleigh Moyer, Aiden, Abigail, and Andrew Williams, Liam and Luka Sanchez, and Brooks and Eliza Barger.  Although Judy was born in Ohio, Texas was where she always called home.  She graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, TX in 1956.  Her love of music stemmed from her father who was the band and choral director at Adamson High School and who later owned Watkins Music store in Dallas.  Judy played piano, violin, clarinet and sang in the church choir growing up. It was there that she met her husband Milbourn Lile Smith. Judy also had a passion for musicals, plays, swimming, skating, golfing, fishing, dancing, movies, and loved to square dance with her husband.  Judy was a Clerk Typist for several years supporting her husband’s engineering education, but spent most of her adult life as a homemaker raising her three daughters. Judy was a bubbly individual who considered no one a stranger and genuinely loved life. She will be missed as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. The family is also grateful for the many years of care that Judy received by Lupe Noriega, a great friend to her. A private memorial will be scheduled at a later date to celebrate her life.