Judith McColl Smoke

judith smoke
Arden – Judith McColl Smoke, of Hickory Creek Court, died Friday, December 23, 2005, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Hal H. and Ella Ruth Dunn McColl of McColl, South Carolina and also was preceded in death by her brother, Hal McColl, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Clinton Smoke, of Arden; her son, Robert M. Slater, Jr. and his wife Goy, of Fayetteville, NC. She is also survived by three stepchildren she dearly loved, Kimberly Jean Friedman of Roswell, Ga., Clinton H. Smoke, III of Raleigh, NC and John C. Smoke of Jacksonville, Fla. and their respective families including three grandchildren. Ms. Smoke received a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina and a Masters in Business Administration degree from William Carey College in Mississippi. A prolific writer and reader, she was involved in the production of both broadcast and print media. She worked in both radio and television in Wilmington, NC, before turning to a career of writing and editing. She was an editor with Computer Science Corporation working under contract with NASA and other government agencies. She worked in public relations at Northern Virginia Community College and at the National Headquarters of the Salvation Army in Alexandria, Virginia. Most recently, she edited the magazine published by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. Since moving to beautiful western North Carolina, her hobby has been gardening. She joined the Botanical Garden of Asheville and the North Carolina Arboretum, and soon thereafter started working on her Master Gardner’s Certificate with the UNC Extension Office, receiving her Master Gardner Certificate in 2003. She has been a volunteer with that program ever since. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church. Her long time passion however was food, both preparing and eating it. She was an accomplished cook and was proud of her collection of over 200 cookbooks. She enjoyed cooking for others and dining with friends in fine restaurants. The family wishes to acknowledge the incredible support of many during the past several months – her many friends, the Support Team from CarePartners Mountain Area Hospice and the medical professionals who have helped, both in Asheville and at Duke University Medical Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Reverend Robert M. Blackburn. Interment will be in the family plot in McColl, SC. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to the American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Bldg. 1, Asheville, NC 28801.

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  1. My husband, Dan, and my sisters Fran, Bette and Pat all join me in sending our heartfelt condolences. We pray for your family’s strength and peace. Sincerely Mari McColl

  2. MR Smoke I am sorry to be made aware of your loss. I know many times that you spoke of your wife was always in a most positive manner and with happiness. I did have the pleasure to meet her a few times and she was a plesant person to talk with. You are in our prayers.
    Lewis, Donna, Karah, Adam Garrison

  3. We are blessed to have had such a faithful friend as Judith. She was an inspiration, a model, a gracious lady who will be sorely missed. Judith, your sweet smile is with us forever.

  4. We shall always have your memory with us, for you livened our existence in many ways. Woodland rambles, exquisite teas, book selection insights, incredible cuisine at a moments notice, and just being around for hugs. We will miss you!

  5. I was blessed to have known you, and enjoyed working with you through the Master Gardeners program.

  6. Dear Judith,
    We’ll never forget your friendship and love, the strength of your spirit, and your nurturance of all that you touched. We’ll miss you.

  7. Clint and Family,
    Judith was a special person who thought of others right up to the end. She will be missed by many in Asheville, and I’m sure elsewhere. My heart goes out to you.
    Linda Blue

  8. my cousin Googie—–What a wonderful women, mother and friend to all. I will miss your laugh, your sweet smile and the great family stories you have told. Now that you are with peace, we shall go on with the have being a part of you. I love you Sheri Ramsey King

  9. Clint & family, we are so sorry for your loss.
    I have many fond memories of Judy when we were children. She was my favorite first cousin.
    Clint, thank you for your hospitality when I visited you in Fairfax, VA.
    We will miss her smiling face and beautiful red hair.

  10. I will never forget Judy coming to visit us in TickBite, when we first got our swimming pool. Out came cousin Judy adorned with goggles, snorkle, floaties and flippers. She was a sight, and we had the most fun. I will cherish our friendship forever.
    Carol

  11. I am a nurse in the treatment room at Duke, and I cared for Judith several times last summer and fall. What a gracious and fun person!! The last time I saw her was Nov. 23 of last year and she was so tired. She showed me the wedding pictures and they were so beautiful. I want her family to know that we in the chemo treatment room at Duke have missed her and I have tried to find out about her. It was my privilege to know her for a short time and care for her. Thank you. sincerely, Marcella Teague RN at Duke

  12. Clint and Family,
    We are saddened by your loss. Judith was a special lady. We will miss her bright and shining face at the MOAA meetings.
    Jane and Milton Thompson


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