Judith Smith Wright

In early 1956, two young people named Judie Smith and Bill Wright were married with all the hope and joy that goes with true love. Bill a sailor from Jackson Georgia, who served in the Korean War, and his beloved Judie, of Conyers, Georgia, were blessed by their loved ones including Bill's mother, Gertrude Rowlenson Wright, now deceased, and Bill's sister, Irma Guest, of Athens, Georgia, now surviving, and Judie's family, parents Virginia B. Smith and James W. Smith, now deceased of Conyers, Georgia and her sister Alice Smith, now surviving, marked the joyous occasion.

In late 1956 the couple gave birth to a son, William J. Wright of Atlanta, Georgia, who survives, and in 1961 a daughter arrived Virginia Anna Wright, now predeceased leaving her husband, James Anthony Malone, and their sons Wright Malone, Ryan Malone and Cameron Malone, all of Atlanta, all of whom survive.

Bill and Judie set out to make their mark in the world of education at all levels. Bill obtained his Masters in Business from UGA, in 1958 and ultimately his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Alabama in 1963. While raising children Judie taught in the public school systems of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Macon, Georgia, earning both a Masters in Education from Mercer University of Macon, Georgia and later an Ed.D from the University of Georgia. Bill's career began as an economic professor at Wofford College of Spartanburg. Then in an effort to move the new young family closer to Georgia relatives, Bill next accepted a teaching position at Macon College, then Macon Junior College, rising to the head of the Business School, then Provost, and then President of Macon College. Bill was recognized with various honorary chairs, had the privilege of being an economic panel advisor to 2 sitting Presidents of the United States, designing a uniform accreditation program for colleges nationwide, and spoke far and wide on topics of economic and educational interest and was tapped to be an Assistant Charge Affairs to the Republic of China Taiwan at the behest of the Carter administration. Acclaimed as well were Judie's work in reading programs, implementing the "magnet school concept" in Macon, Georgia, plus the design and implementation of Mercer Medical School's special curriculum wherein medical students were trained in dealing with rural patients, and worked in connection with the Mayo Clinic and other research and teaching institutions to update various curriculums,

In time, in an effort to slow down Bill and Judie took positions at Stetson University, of Deland, Florida. Bill served as head of the Business School and Judie as head of Counseling Center Stetson University. While winding down their careers, at Stetson, the couple were able to commute from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, eventually retiring on the beach for many years. Bill and Judie were a fixture at the local Episcopal Church, and while Bill played tennis, Judie began to study art, and maintained a private practice in married and family practice, and in time her artwork became the subject of great acclaim. They were both dog lovers.

After quite some time, the couple decided to forego the beach for the pace of Naples, Florida, near Judie's sister Alice Smith Harrison and her family. As time went on Bill and Judie moved to Bogart Georgia, to be nearer their son, "Little Bill", Bill's sister Irma Guest, and her children and grandchildren, Janet G. Jones, Elaine Bienecker, and their children. It was in the loving care of this family that Bill and Judie reached the ages of 85 and 80, respectively, and in the presence of loved ones, departed this Earth, Bill in late August, and Judie, in mid September. Bill took great care of Judie, and vice versa.

The family will hold a remembrance of life, and requests that no flowers be sent, rather, a contribution to Canine Assistants, (www.canineassistants.org) an organization that trains assistance animals, which was near and dear the heart of their daughter, Virginia W. Malone, until her untimely passing in 2005. Anyone so inclined may send a message of condolences to wright.bill@me.com for sharing with the family.

Lord and Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements.
www.lordandstephens.com