Judith Walker Smith entered into eternal life in Hampton, VA, on March 20, 2020, at the age of 89, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.  She was born in New York City on April 18, 1930, the youngest of two daughters, to Violet McKenzie Walker and Edgar A. Walker, Jamaican immigrants.  Known to her family and friends as Judy, she was baptized as an infant at St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, NY. Judy was educated in the New York City public school system and she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College in June 1950.

Judy married Oliver Smith in 1954, and a son, Craig Oliver Smith, was born in 1959, from this union.

Although Judy began a career in social work, she ultimately became a successful real estate broker. In June 1972, she was a founding partner of Myers, Smith and Granady, Inc., a well known Harlem firm that specialized in brokerage, property management and development. One of her proudest accomplishments with the firm was being a member of the development team that completed the first condominiums in Harlem. She served as Vice President of Myers, Smith and Granady until her retirement in 2000.

Philanthropy was extremely important to Judy as evident by her participation in numerous civic and professional organizations.  She was the first women elected president of the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board, in 1998;  past President of the United Developers Council, an affiliate branch of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Inc.; and past Board Member of the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women.  She was inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame in May, 1992.  She was a lifetime member of the NAACP and a generous supporter of many institutions. Judy's love of volunteering was demonstrated as she faithfully served as a Cub Scout Mother, in the 1960's, and continued into her retirement with the Harlem Council of Elders where she eventually served on the board.  She was also on the Advisory Council of the Central Harlem Senior Citizens Coalition and a volunteer for the Police Athletic League.  Besides community services, some of her favorite pastimes were playing bridge, with new and old friends; theatre-going; and traveling all over the world. A few of her memorable trips were to the villages of Ghana, Africa, the Great Wall of China, and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Judy moved to Hampton, VA shortly before her death and resided with her niece, Michele.

She was predeceased by her husband, Oliver Smith; son, Craig Smith; stepdaughter, Delores Hunter;  sister, Euperta 'Pertie' Gaston; nephew, Wayne Gaston; and grandnieces, Michelle Gaston and Jennifer Turner.

Judy is survived by her niece Michele G. Sydney and husband Vincent, of Hampton, VA; nephew Alexander Y. Gaston, Jr. of Stockbridge, GA; cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A special thank you to her dear friend and accountant, Michael Lee, and to Rosalie 'Rose' Wynter who for over 25 years was a friend, housekeeper, and in more recent years, a caregiver for Judy.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11AM, Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions, 2906 Cunningham Drive, Hampton, VA.  Family and friends are reminded to follow all CDC guidelines, especially the wearing of masks. Judy's interment will take place at Hampton Memorial Gardens near her sister.

To view service online, please CLICK HERE.