Judy Box Smith

A Celebration of Life for Judy (Box) Landrum-Smith, 82, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Laird Funeral Home with her son-in-law, Norris Dudley officiating.   Mrs. Smith passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nacogdoches.  She was born on August 15, 1940 in Houston. Visitation will be held from 12:30pm – 2:00pm prior to the service on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Laird Funeral Home.

Judy was not your typical little lady.  She was fiery and feisty but that is what everyone loved about her.  She accomplished so much during her lifetime and could undoubtedly have written a book.  Although her fierce side was what she loved people to know (so they knew she wouldn’t put up with any nonsense) deep down, she had the heart of an angel.  She was a giver, loved deeply, adored all children, was compassionate to a fault, and would have given everything she had so that someone else could be happy.  Judy was one of a kind and her family, as well as the people she surrounded herself with, knew her true self.  Judy was a woman of her word and had superior morals, of which she made sure to pass on in her teachings to her children and grandchildren.  She had many loves in her life, but her family was the most important.  She adored all things about Christmas because it gave her the perfect opportunity to give to others. Her home was always beautifully decorated with her favorite things and while living in Central Heights, she was known as “Lady of Lights”.  She also loved Christmas because she got to flirt with Santa!!  Judy will forever be in the memory of many people because she made them dough ornaments each year for Christmas.  If you have them, you were loved by Judy!  

She often did things for people without taking any acknowledgement for it.  Her life consisted of working in many roles.  She dedicated over 25 years as a dispatcher for Nacogdoches Police Department and she took great pleasure in telling “the guys” where to go!  She loved each of them dearly and they, as well as their families, were like family to her.  She was a volunteer for Memorial Hospital Auxilary and spent 22 years managing the Davis Maxie Apartments behind the downtown fire station.  Her home there was where her grandchildren remember spending many nights with Granny and loving that her time was dedicated solely to them when she was around.  Being the mother of her two girls, Vicky and Dawn, brought many years of joy to her and grandchildren and great-grandchildren simply added more to the wonderful memories she had with her family.  No one can say she ever held anything back, because if she thought it, she said it!  She loved watching As the World Turns, The Nanny (likely because she agreed with what she had to say), ER and NYPD Blue (brought back memories for her).  She also loved country music and all things western.  And occasionally, she could be found enjoying a good pina colada or rum and coke while working outside in the yard with her beloved pups, Sam, Button, Lacey and Java.

Judy will forever be remembered as someone who had your back, loved fiercely, was bold but compassionate, and gave to others every chance she had.  She was simply larger than life.  Her legacy will forever be that of taking care of others and loving her family most of all.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Vicky Renfro Dudley (Norris) and Dawn Renfro Brantley (Phillip); granddaughters, Kimberly Dudley DeWitt, Holly Dudley, Amber Brantley Haslam and Elizabeth (Libby) Brantley Mora (Cain). great grandchildren, Joshua, Elissa & Caleigh Bicknell, Carter Mosley, Travis & Felicity Haslam and Khaleesi, Cain & Bronn Mora; sister, Cindi Warren Mudd; sisters-in-law, Judy St.Dizier and Dorinda (Lulu) Warren; brother-in-law, Donald Cobb; nieces & nephews, Barbara Smith, Lisa Cobb Larent, LaDonna Cobb Rachel, Donnie Cobb, Michael St.Dizier, Steven St.Dizier, Shellie St.Dizier Guidry, Stephanie St.Dizier Papania, Casey Paul Warren and Jami (Waren) Tue; very dear childhood friends, Betty Gorman and Linda Mixon as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents, Lynn Austin and Arena Elizabeth Byerley Box; biological parents, Curtis Paul Warren and Naomi Byerley Warren St.Dizier; former husband, Levi Smith; sister, Cathy St.Dizier Cobb; brothers, David St.Dizier and Clinton Paul Warren; niece, Joan Webb; grandson in-law, Michael Haslam; as well as the pets she adored, her Maltese dogs, Sam, Lacey & Button and Black Lab, Java.

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