Judith Anne Smith

Judith Anne McFadyen Smith, 80, died on Saturday, February 28, 2026. She was born March 7, 1945, in Wilmington, NC, to Clayton Elmer McFadyen and Vivian Hazel Sparrow McFadyen.

Judi was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC. She graduated from New Hanover High School in 1962 and married the love of her life, Jesse Allen Smith, in October of that same year. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. She spent most of her career as a real estate broker and appraiser, finally retiring in 2021.

An avid reader, she spent many hours curled up in her chair with a good book. Her book collection included many books on Wilmington and North Carolina history. She enjoyed researching and tracing her family tree, and loved cats, particularly Himalayans and long-haired Persians.

She was very proud of her Scottish heritage, loved playing the bagpipes, and enjoyed attending the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games each July. She was one of the initial volunteers with the Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums, attending almost all of their practices and functions, and handling much of the band's fundraising. Should you meet her at an event, it was difficult to escape her without purchasing a band t-shirt or challenge coin. In 2016, she was honored to accompany the band to New York to perform in the 911 Memorial Services.

Judi was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton Elmer and Vivian Hazel Sparrow McFadyen, her brother, Clayton Douglas McFadyen, and sister, Elaine Sziemkiewicz.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jesse Allen Smith; daughter, René Smith Wicker (Bill) of Durham, NC; grandchildren Austin McFadyen Wicker of North Palm Beach, FL; Harrison Baines Wicker (Alexandria) of Melbourne, FL; Savannah Glynn Wicker of Columbia, SC; great-grandchildren Piper Lorraine Wicker and Adelaide Hazel Wicker; sister-in-law Barbara Nicholson McFadyen of Chapel Hill, NC; and her black, long-haired Persian cat, Night Stalker.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, March 6th at Clements Funeral Home in Durham. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, March 7th, at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, NC.

Not wanting Judi to miss out on this one last fund-raising opportunity, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Wilmington Police Recreation Association, 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, marked "PIPE BAND".

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.