Judith Hardesty Smith

Judith Hardesty Smith, 83, died on Christmas Day, her favorite day of the year, at the home of her loving daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Randall Harwood, in Conover, North Carolina. She had Alzheimer’s Disease.

Gathered round her were Judy’s family, including Alice and Randall, her son Steven P. Bailey (via video link from his home in Germany), Alice and Steven’s father, Judy’s grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister-in-law, cherished caregivers, dear friends, and her pet dogs. Other relatives were there in spirit. It was a large, loving, and boisterous group – just the kind of gathering Judy loved so much.

Born in Harriman, Tennessee, on February 17, 1940, Judy was the daughter of the late Paul W. Hardesty and Virginia Cole Hardesty who raised a family of five children. Of her siblings, she is survived by her brother, Paul W. Hardesty, Jr (Jill), of Toana, VA, and her sister, Elizabeth P. Hardesty (John Dyck), of North Bennington, VT. Her two sisters, Virginia H. Trumbull and Sara L. Shepherd, predeceased her.

Judy, with her beloved late husband, Thomas Edward Smith, was a long-time active resident of Lynchburg Virginia.

Judy spent her professional life expertly and compassionately caring for others. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree after training at Duke University School of Nursing and the School of Nursing at Lynchburg General Hospital. Judy was a patient-centered nurse, caring for people of all types and ages. As the center of her career, Judy was a long-time Lead Nurse at the Lynchburg Training School and Hospital, caring for individuals in the Multiply Handicapped Center (MHC).

In all of her nursing work, as well as in her life, Judy cared for the whole individual, paying close attention to their physical needs as well as their emotional well-being. Judy’s humor, warmth, and love were infectious, and contributed to helping her patients find joy in their surroundings and use their capabilities to their fullest.

Judy’s church and faith were a central point of her life. She was a past member of Fort Hill United Methodist Church and Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, as well as Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lynchburg. She and her husband Tom were long-time volunteers in providing spiritual conversation and communion to shut-ins. They also delivered Meals on Wheels.

After a trip to New Orleans, Judy became an active member of the Red Hat Society – a women’s organization with an emphasis on the importance of the positive aspects of life, including fun, friendship, and sisterhood. Judy’s vibrant red hats and enthusiasm were the talk of the town.

Judy loved children, and they loved her back. She sang songs, told stories, quoted nursery rhymes and made up amazing dramatic stories for her younger siblings and later for her own children and grandchildren. She stayed physically active as long as that was possible. She walked many miles daily in her neighborhood conversing with all she met, and went on long hikes along Black Water Creek in Lynchburg, always paying her respects to the Cancer Memory Garden there.

Laughter and conversation rang the day through from Judy’s house on Ferncliff Drive, harmonizing with the chatter of birds around the feeder, culminating in the hourly chime: “Tom! You want some Caawfee?!”

Prior to settling in Lynchburg, Judy lived in the Carolinas and in Germany. Her love for people and for travel continued throughout her life and she and Tom traveled extensively in Europe.

Judy is survived by her loving children - daughter Alice and son Steven Bailey; four grandchildren, Megan, Amanda (Mandy), Oskar, and Christian; and three great-grandchildren, Keegan, Oaklynn, and Khalil. She is also survived by her former husband, Leland Bailey, and her sister-in-law, Beth Foster; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Judy’s daughter Alice with Randall and the rest of the family, along with wonderful caregivers, have cared for Judy for the past five years. The family expresses sincere thanks to Ashley Dellinger for giving constant support to Judy and for being a treasured friend to the whole family. They also offer deep appreciation to Melissa Martin and the home-health team from Medi-Home Health for their hard work and dedication. Crystal Blake was Judy’s original caregiver. She is now considered a part of the family and has given constant loving care to Judy from the beginning of her illness until the end.

The past years in Conover were gifts of life for Judy. She was held securely by the care, attention, and deep love given by her family, her care family, and her wonderful friends. She sat at the center of the family table and was a part of all family activity. Judy’s life was a gift to all who were fortunate to know her.

Judy will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A Celebration of Judy's Life will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, at 11 am at Christ Alive Church, 1549 Southwest Blvd., Newton, NC 28658

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Judy’s life can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.