Judith Ann Smith-Parrott

Judith Ann Smith-Parrott, 72, of Lawrence Township, NJ, transitioned July 27, 2026. Services were held at Community Church of Iselin, 15 Montague Ave, Iselin, NJ on Friday, August 7, 2026. Judith was born on November 12, 1953, in New York City. She was the second daughter of the late, Mother Ann Ruth Smith and late, Deacon Richard Curtis Smith, Sr. Judith was educated in the Iselin Township public school system and graduated from John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. She went on to attend Mercyhurst University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Judith, over the years, had a deep connection to her late grandmother, Mother Ivy Bell, from whom she developed a love for cooking, sewing and knitting. She would attend bazaars, craft shows and farmer markets. She, also, had an affinity for her late grandmother, Mother May Scott. After completing college, Judith was touched by the Lord during Mother Scott’s homegoing service, and she gave her heart and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. Later on, she was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit. She honed her chosen profession of teaching while working with the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Sunday School department. There, she met Elder James Walter Parrott, Jr., and they married on July 1, 1977. They were married by then-Elder Jenkins, and they were happily married for 49 years. They initially made their home in Irvington, New Jersey, for 17 years before moving to Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in 2005. From that union, they had one son, James Walter Parrott III. Judith devoted her career to education working for the New Jersey Department of Education as a teacher. She began as a kindergarten teacher before transitioning to adult education. She served in Newark, New Jersey, helping adults and other non-traditional learners achieve their GED at West Kinney Alternative High School. She was later promoted to educational coordinator at Montgomery High School in Newark, New Jersey. Judith deeply loved and cared for both her fellow teachers and students standing by them through every challenge. Her true passion was helping others reach and achieve their educational goals and dreams. In addition to her career in education, Judith was a relentless entrepreneur. She founded several small businesses and applied her mind to growth opportunities. She established a successful women's hat business and found a kindred spirit in her godmother, Aunt Margaret Holder, who also owned a hat and wedding business. Following her retirement from both the hat business and teaching, she launched a baking business which produced cakes, cookies and other pastries for Whole Foods and food markets. She would attend food markets with husband and her brother, Richard. She took tremendous pride in her business and continued to run the business even after she suffered a stroke in 2017. Her entrepreneurial accomplishments earned her recognition in the small business community, awards from Facebook and several trips to small business conferences in Washington, DC. While she will be sorely missed, we are comforted in knowing that she earned her crown and is resting with our heavenly Father. Judith is survived by her husband, James Parrott Jr.; her siblings, Joyce Rhone and Richard Curtis Smith, Jr.; her son, James Parrott III and his wife, Heinisha Parrott; her granddaughters, Arielle Parrott and Gabrielle Parrott; her nieces, Allison Rhone, Jillian Rhone, Susan McCoy, Devin Forehand, Ebonee Smiley, Janay Carr, Stefanie Parrott, DeAndrea Bethea, Shashauna Anderson; her nephews, Mark Parrott II, Karlton Parrott, Steven Parrott, Jr., Darren Parrott, Justin Parrott, Michael Parrott; and her godchildren, Heather Jenkins and Jacob McGill. She, also, will be treasured by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Bishop Steven and Mother Jeanice Parrott; Apostle Andrew and Dyanne Parrott; Bishop Mark and Mother Dorie Parrott and Mother Yvonne Parrott. Judith transformed many lives with her smile, dedication, happiness, warmth and love. She will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Judith Ann Smith-Parrott

November 12, 1953 - July 27, 2026