Willow Spring – Judith Smith Dickens, 70, died Monday, July 30, 2012. Funeral services were held on Friday, August 3, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mt. Pleasant Church Road, Willow Spring.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Virginia Smith, and her siblings, Newell Smith, Helen Piland, Maynard Smith, and Charles Smith.
Judi, as she was known to friends and family, was a proud Navy wife for 26 years, an educator and administrator, and an avid musician. In addition to playing the piano and organ in church, she led the choir and enjoyed playing for special events. But by far her favorite hobby was being “Grammie” to her three beloved grandchildren.
She led an active professional life, spending part of her career in the classroom and retiring from federal service after 19 years. She worked with the Navy as a curriculum specialist and as Dean of Academics at the Medical Technician School at The National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Timothy H. Dickens; her daughter and son-in-law, Janie Dickens Hayslett and Kevin Hayslett; three grandchildren, Ryan, 13, Gracie, 11, and Nathan Hayslett, 4. She is also survived by her brothers, Gerald Smith and David Smith; and her sisters, Martha S. Adams and Carolyn S. Coble.
The family received friends on Thursday, August 2, from 7 - 9 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, 401 N Ennis Street, Fuquay-Varina.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in memory of Judi to “A Child Waits Foundation”, 1136 Barker Road, Unit 12, Pittsfield, MA 01201. This foundation provides low-interest loans and grants to families who wish to adopt waiting children from other countries but lack the necessary financial resources. This is a cause very special to Judi as her oldest grandchildren were adopted from Russia in 2002.
Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.thomasfuneral.com.
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