Judy E. Lindstrom
Judy Ellen Lindstrom, 81, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Born in Geneva, New York, on Jan. 17, 1944, Judy was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Austin) Brown and Dan E. Waite.
Judy carried a remarkable heritage as a direct descendant of Stephen F. Austin, the pioneering leader who shaped the roots of Austin, Texas. She spent many years in administrative and clerical positions, served as a Court Clerk for the Town of Sheridan, and later moved to Celoron where she became a Trustee and advocated for changing the street name to Lucy Lane, that Lucille Ball grew up on. In the late 1980s, she moved to North and South Carolina and Florida, earning her real estate licenses, before returning to South Carolina to be near her grandchildren.
Judy loved NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, was known as “Judy the NASCAR beauty”, enjoyed fast cars, the Buffalo Bills, Labrador Retrievers, pizza, sunshine, and palm trees. She especially loved watching her grandchildren at baseball games, dance, and cheer recitals. She was sharp-minded, fast-talking, fast-walking, extroverted, fun-loving, and a true “firecracker” who could light up any room she entered.
She was survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Richard “Rich” Lindstrom, who has since passed on Dec. 12th; her five children, Donna (Tom Kern) Wright of Groene, Texas, Scott (Karen) Smith of Pineville, NC, Peter (Tania) Smith of Forestville, Todd (RoseAngela) Smith of Stuart, Florida, and Ryan (Tiffanie) Smith of Fort Mill, SC; two sisters, Sharon (John) Washburn and Paula Waite, and her brother, Brian (Pam) Waite. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Nicole (Tad), Peter James (Safron), Peter (Precious), Buck, Addison, Chase, and Easton; and four great-grandchildren, Amelia, Thomas, Peter, and Nicholas. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her brother, Daniel A. Waite.
A Catholic Mass honoring Judy’s life was held on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a reception that followed at the home of Ryan and Tiffanie Smith. A private graveside service was held on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at the Sheridan Center Cemetery, where she and her husband were buried together.
In honor of Judy’s life and her love for Labrador retrievers, memorials may be made to the SPCA or Humane Society of your choice. Local arrangements were by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories got to https://rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.