Judy Smith

Judy Smith left this earth to join her Savior on September 12th, 2022. She lived in Cibolo, Texas, was born in Tulsa, OK, grew up in Houston, TX, and raised her children in Plano, TX.  Her life was characterized by passion; for her daughters, Veronica and Valerie Smith; her artistry; her drive towards excellence and education; and her unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, she was an avid gardener and loved to travel, especially on cruises and to the beach.

Professionally, Judy completed degrees in Flute Performance, Music Education, and Piano Pedagogy at Houston Baptist University and Holy Names University. Judy enjoyed studying piano at The International Academy of the Suzuki Method in Matsumoto, Japan, and brought back these musical gifts to her many piano, flute, and voice students. After founding a piano pedagogy program at Alaska Pacific University, the family moved to Plano, TX, where she taught elementary school music and private music lessons for over two decades. During this time, she was passionate about developing the talents of young artists and delighted in watching them share their art with others. Wherever Judy lived she found joy as she connected with her Sigma Alpha Iota sisters. She remained active in the San Antonio Alumnae Chapter and delighted in sharing music with them.

Musically, two of her proudest moments were taking her older daughter, Veronica, to the OAKE National Children’s Honor Choir and welcoming her younger daughter, Valerie, into Sigma Alpha Iota as a Patroness. Both girls participated in numerous musical groups and have continued the legacy of song their mother instilled in them. While her life was shorter than any of us knew it would be, she watched her children achieve her goals for them, most notably, being present at the white coat ceremony for her younger daughter recently as she continues through medical school.

Judy was the current music teacher at BASIS San Antonio- North Central Campus, sharing her love and knowledge of music with kindergarten through 3rd grade students.  Throughout her lifetime, she also maintained a private studio of piano students and enjoyed introducing her youngest students to the piano, as well as watching her advanced students continue to develop artistic excellency. Judy has been involved in church music throughout her life; most recently serving at Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin, TX.

Judy was much-loved and is survived by numerous family and friends including her daughters, Veronica and Valerie Smith; sister, Donna and husband David Cook; and sister-in-law Debbie Marshall.  She also had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly: Chris Cropper, wife Julie, and their children Amelia, Samuel, and Daniel; Holly Schroedter, husband Nathan, and their children Conner and Lochlann; Kimberly Cropper and her husband Dean Harris; and Matthew Marshall. Judy was the godmother to Angelica Murray, the daughter of her life-long friend, Mary Murray, with whom she shared an incredibly close friendship for over 40 years. She will be remembered fondly by her Sigma Alpha Iota sisters as well as friends and colleagues through numerous music and church communities.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Gilbert Marshall; brother, Malcolm Marshall; and the daughter of her niece and husband (Holly and Nathan), Fiona Schroedter; and is reunited with them once more.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Judy’s name to the Greater Dallas Choral Society in her memory.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,

and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

and through eternity I’ll sing on.

~What Wondrous Love is This, vs. 4

Soli Deo Gloria

A Memorial Service will be held for Judy at Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin, TX on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM.