Atkinson, Ethel (Judy) Smoot

Ethel (Judy) Smoot Atkinson, 91, Fairlawn, Va., passed onto Heaven on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. Ethel was born on January 10, 1920, to Henry T. Smoot and Bessie Lillian Graham Smoot of Third Street, West Radford. Some of Judy’s fondest childhood memories were of playing ball in the schoolyard, wading at the river and never being lonely with five brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents around. In her youth, Judy was a member of the Carter Street Methodist Church and then after marriage and settling in Fairlawn, she joined the Fairlawn Baptist Church which she was a charter member of for 65 years. Judy proudly owned and operated her own beauty shop, Judy’s Beauty Bar, for many years in her home. Judy retired from Radford Community Hospital in 1985 after 25 years of service in sterile supply, the pharmacy and at the switchboard. She had a contagious smile and laugh and had a special way of greeting people by their name that made them feel good. She loved singing out loud for the joy of it, making jokes, and playing the piano by ear…a delight to see and hear. Judy understood that life was made better when she gave more than she received. In her daily life, she exemplified love and grace. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Smoot in 1950 and Bessie Graham Smoot in 1968; her beautiful daughter, Charlotte Ann Atkinson in 1966; brothers, Willie in 1985 and Howard Smoot in 1998; sisters, Tress Smoot Tilley in 1967, Virginia Smoot in 1993 and Eleanor Smoot Sutphin Eichelberger in 1994; nephews, Norman Sutphin in 2000, Barry Sutphin in 2009 and Bernard Tilley in 2007. Surviving are her loving daughter, Sharon and husband, Larry Miller, of Kingsport, Tenn.; nieces, Phyllis Sutphin Stark and husband, Bill, of Forest, Va., and Mary Ward Tilley Haislip, of Virginia Beach, Va.; nephews, Billy Smoot and wife, Jane, of Greensburg, Pa., Henry Smoot, of Blacksburg, Va., and Thomas Tilley and wife, Betty Jo, of Radford, Va.; and cousin, Atta Graham Hopkins, of Radford, Va. Funeral Services will be held 1 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2011, at the Fairlawn Baptist Church with the Rev. Danny Collins officiating. Interment will follow in the West View Cemetery in Radford. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2011, at the Mullins Funeral Home. The Atkinson family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Va. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.