Judy Sandlin
Judy Caroline Smith Sandlin died suddenly on March 17, 2025. She is survived by her heartbroken family; her husband of almost 50 years, Carl Walker; daughter, Rachel Lillian Sandlin; granddaughter, Lillian Caroline Bromberg; and newborn grandson, Sterling Wayne Walker Stojan. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Polly Smith; her sister, Barbara Cucino; and her niece, Robbie Day.
Judy was born in Pine Bluff, Ark., the daughter of Ralph G. Smith and Nolia S. (Polly) Smith. She, one of only 9 students in her class, attended the Lutheran Christian Day School in Pine Bluff through the 6th Grade. In 1963, she graduated from Pine Bluff High School where she was honored to sing in the A Cappella Choir. Judy wanted a career in nursing, but her father’s untimely death when she was only 12 years old limited family funds. However, a friend from her family’s home church, Lakeside United Methodist Church, provided a scholarship for Judy to attend Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas). There she studied mathematics graduating with honors in 3 years. Declaring that she never wanted to teach, she enrolled in Graduate School at the University of Arkansas studying Psychology. After a year, she left that pursuit behind and decided to embark on a life journey which began with a visit to her older sister Barbara’s home in Columbus, GA. From there, she went west to Odessa, TX (where she taught Math), to Honolulu, HI (where she also taught Math), and finally back to her home in Pine Bluff (where she taught Math at nearby Wabbaseka, AR).
However, Judy taught much more than mathematics in Wabbaseka. The school was suffering from “white flight” during the general racial turmoil of the time, and Judy was one of two white teachers there. She used the opportunity to bond with her students, sharing laughter and being willing to let them attempt to braid her thick head of hair — a project that always ended in laughter and good will even when the braids were unsuccessful. She stated that she wanted her students to learn from her that not all white people were cruel and that laugher has a place in the classroom.
Music continued to play a role in Judy’s life, and while singing in the Chancel Choir at the Lakeside United Methodist Church of her childhood, Judy met a young Army Second Lieutenant, Carl Sandlin, who was stationed at Pine Bluff Arsenal. The music they began together in that church choir continued for the rest of their lives. Judy and Carl were married in that church on Sept. 6, 1975. It was her 30th birthday.
When Carl left the Army a few months later, they moved to New Orleans where Carl re-joined Exxon. His career took them all over the world from New Orleans, to Iran, to Bahrain, back to New Orleans, on to Lafayette, LA, to Houston, TX, to Madison, NJ, to Malaysia, and back to Houston in 1994. Judy was always supportive of Carl and his career as they moved around the world.
Wonderful, life-changing news arrived in 1986 during their first stint in Houston. A baby girl had been born in Fayetteville, AR, and Judy and Carl had the opportunity to adopt her! Judy headed for Arkansas immediately, and was always thrilled to say that she saw Rachel when she was only two days old! Judy always said that she had no intention of becoming an “older” mother, but she chased a toddler with the best of them, and even learned to ride a bike — with the young kids cheering her on from the sidewalk — when she was 47!
Judy loved her family, and delighted in being involved in the lives of her two grandchildren, Lilly and Sterling. She was also devoted to her sister Barbara’s daughter, Robbie Day, who (along with Robbie’s daughter and grandchildren) she adopted as her own after Barbara’s death.
Judy loved her faith and her fellow humans. A lifelong Methodist, Judy held a particular passion for the United Methodist Women serving as President, Vice President and Treasurer of various local units throughout her life. Her particular passion was mission outreach whether it was global or local. She loved planning programs that highlighted these efforts. Alongside Carl, she served for over 20 years as a delegate from Chapelwood to the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Judy had a smile that would win you over at first glance! Her warm personality was a perfect partner to that winning smile!! Wherever she lived, she made fast-friends. Judy was a treasure.
Judy regularly donated her hair to Wigs for Kids and, in a final gesture of generosity, has donated her body to the UT Heath Science Center in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support one of the causes that stirred passion in Judy’s heart: United Methodist Committee of Relief (UMCOR), Heifer International or Scholarship Fund of the Chapelwood Foundation.
A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held on May 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, TX. The Rev. Dr. Matthew Russell, officiant.
The Messenger/4.22.25