Judy Smith Bechtel's Obituary
Judy Ann Bentley Smith Bechtel was born on February 6,1940 in Memphis, Tennessee and went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 13, 2025. She was the third of four daughters born to Charles Edward Smith and Madge Singleton Smith. She graduated from the Hutchison School and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She graduated from Memphis State University with a degree in Education and later obtained a speech and hearing pathology degree from Peabody College.
Her occupations included being a Speech Therapist in the Atlanta City Schools and Shelby County Schools, and English tutor, homemaker and an Antique Business Owner.
She was a volunteer of Les Passees, Inc., a member of the Junior League and the Women's Exchange. She was a life-long member of Second Presbyterian Church where she cherished being part of the Esther Woman's group and working in the nursery. Some of her favorite pastimes included painting, gardening, studying the Bible, international travel and being at the family farm in Arkansas. She was one to never miss a family or social event.
She treasured her husband of 42 years, Thomas, her children Kathryn (Matt) Bechtel Fox of Chickamauga, Georgia, and Charles (Rende) Thomas Bechtel of Memphis, Tennessee and her four grandchildren: Jacob and Rachel Fox and Cate and Brooke Bechtel. She will be greatly missed by her many church friends and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Madge, her husband Thomas Bechtel and her sister Kay Smith Reid of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She leaves behind her sisters Charleen Smith Searight of Austin, Texas and Vicki Smith Weber of Memphis, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews.
She will have a Memorial Visitation at 11:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Service begins at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, 38111.
The family appreciates any donations to be made to Second Presbyterian Church.
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