Judith (Judy) Ann Johnston Smith, a beautiful, caring, loving soul entered the gates of Heaven on August 9, 2021, at her home in Houston, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer.  Judy was born February 24, 1940, in Las Angeles, CA to William and Margaret Johnston. She grew up in Dallas Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority at the University of New Mexico where she met and married the love of her life, Donald Smith, on June 10, 1960. They celebrated 58 years together and had a love story to envy. Their love brought them the joy of three daughters: Shelby (Marty) Dolan of Katy, TX; Dondi (Troy) Bagley of Sullivan, ME; and Gina (Mike) Alvarez of Richland, WA.

Beginning in 1990, they had the pleasure of welcoming six grandchildren over the years: Jessica Dolan, Martin (Christina King) Dolan, Danielle Bagley, Samantha Bagley, Mitchell (Avila) Alvarez, and Amanda Alvarez, along with her first great grandchild Claire Elizabeth King Dolan.  Judy was also blessed with a nephew Jason Ard (Laura), their two daughters Audrey and Kendall, and her niece Amy Ard. She was met in Heaven by her husband Donald Smith, daughter Sherry Smith, her parents William Johnston, Margaret Gustafson, her stepparents Paul Gustafson and Felice Sheats, her brother-in-law Luckey John Ard, and other family and friends that had preceded her in life.

Judy's bright and energetic spirit guided her into a life of service. She was a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi's women's sorority and held a board position on her residence HOA committee. She loved working and being around children, from assisting in classrooms for children with special needs to taking the children of working parents under her wing, loved them all as her own. Later in life she took care of ailing parents and her husband Donald.

Judy had a magnetic personality and turned strangers into friends with her beautiful energy and optimism. She had many cherished friends she loved, and they loved her. As a woman of many interests, Judy was passionate about arts and crafts, music and concerts, and attending Astros baseball and Texans football games. She was deeply spiritual and loved attending bible study. She knew Jesus was always with her. She was a woman of strength and exemplified the qualities found in this poem:

A WOMAN OF STRENGTH © Maryanne Pale, 2007

She rejoices in God with a grateful heart and a joyful spirit

She possesses the ability to genuinely say to another woman:

"I admire your qualities and attributes"

She is blessed with the gift of giving and a willingness to help others

She consoles others even though she too is hurting

She learns from her mistakes and acknowledges that she too is not perfect

She speaks with words of wisdom and not malice

From the mouths of destruction, her smile remains unshaken She lifts her head and continues to walk amid turmoil

She inspires other women to be the best they can be

With her life experiences, she touches the lives of a multitude

She remains determined to be the best person SHE can be

She smiles every time she says "I LOVE YOU"

She has the courage to take the fall for another

She is not too proud to say "I need you"

When her tears fall, she prays faithfully

When others turn their back on her, she continues to pray faithfully

She is humble enough to admit when she is wrong

Through betrayal and talk, she remains secure in knowing who she is

She is loving enough to say "I forgive you"

She is at peace with herself without having the need to prove herself to anyone

She values her self-worth and reminds other women of theirs

She is not pretentious but instead she presents herself just as she is…

"A WOMAN OF STRENGTH!"

Judy's strength and kindness touched the lives of many she will be sorely missed.

Judy's wish is to be cremated. "Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes". Her ashes will be joined with Don's at Goose Island State Park and the two of them will rejoin "Two Hearts as One". Our beautiful family memories from Goose Island will live forever in all our hearts.