Honoring the Life and Legacy of Judith Walker Smith
Judith Walker Smith, affectionately known as Judy, believed deeply in the transformative power of education. Her life reflected an early and lasting commitment to service and community uplift. She was born in New York City on April 18, 1930, to Jamaican immigrants, Violet McKenzie Walker and Edgar A. Walker. She was the younger of two daughters and shared a close bond with her beloved sister, Euperta. Judy was educated in the New York City public school system and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from Hunter College in 1950.
In 1954, Judy married Oliver Smith, and in 1959 they welcomed a son, Craig (both deceased). Over the years, Judy led a life marked by leadership, philanthropy and quiet resilience. She built a career in real estate and civic service. She was a partner in the real estate firm of Myers, Smith and Granady, Inc., in Harlem. In 1998, she made history as the first woman elected President of the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board. She also held leadership roles with the United Developers Council, an affiliate branch of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Inc. and past board member of the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women. In 1992, she was inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame, a testament to her professional accomplishments and commitment to community advancement.
Beyond her career, Judy lived her values through consistent volunteerism and public service. In the 1960s, she served as a Cub Scout leader, and in retirement, she continued her service with organizations such as the Harlem Council of Elders; the Advisory Council of the Central Harlem Senior Citizens Coalition, and the Police Athletic League. She was also a lifetime member of the NAACP and a generous supporter of many institutions focused on equity and empowerment.
Judy cherished her personal passions. She enjoyed playing bridge, attending the theater, and traveling widely. Some of her journeys took her to places like Ghana, China and Egypt, and she was an avid collector of art by Black artists, a reflection of her love for culture and community. Though she kept a small circle, Judy nurtured deep, lasting connections with those closest to her. In the final chapter of her life, she spent her last days in Hampton, VA, under the loving care of her niece Michele. She passed away on March 10, 2020, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Judy felt that every person deserved the opportunity to pursue learning and that financial barriers should never limit potential. For her, education was a vehicle for dignity, stability and long-term progress. Her decision to support the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) reflected those values. She admired the organization’s commitment to helping Black students succeed and viewed her contribution as her way to pay forward the opportunities she had been given. Naming UNCF as a beneficiary of her estate was both a final act of generosity and a continuation of her lifelong mission to uplift others. Her legacy is one of strength, generosity, and vision. Through her support of UNCF, Judy’s impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
