Judith "Judy" Hite Park

BRISTOW – Judith “Judy” Hite Park, age 77, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Born in Guilford County, NC on July 27, 1945, she was the daughter of the late George Henry Hite and Nina Burke Hite. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Byard Houck, Jr.; her son, Donald “Donnie” George Park; her brothers, George Earl Hite and David Hite. Judy grew up as the only girl with four brothers, with loving parents Nina and George. Finding herself as a young newly-single mother of Donnie and Chris, she was determined to establish herself as a professional and provide a better life for her boys, making her start as a secretary in the central offices of Nash County Public Schools. From there, she took on Industry Liaison positions at Nash Technical College, before its transition to Nash Community College. She was instrumental in the negotiations to secure Consolidated Diesel’s (now Cummins Diesel) locating to Rocky Mount, serving as the Assistant Director of the new Nash Community College Whitakers Campus, which was purpose-built to attract Cummins and train the workforce needed for its launch and its early years. Eventually transitioning back to the main NCC campus, she was a Regional Coordinator with the NC Science and Math Alliance, overseeing a five-year effort to expand the STEM curriculum in a ten-county region of Eastern NC. After meeting and marrying Byard, her loving husband of 20-years, and later losing her oldest son Donnie to sudden-onset Diabetes in 1999, she completed her career in Industrial Liaison Relations at Carteret Community College and retired in 2002. Throughout all of her years, her house was always open to her kids’ friends, becoming a ‘mom’ to many. In her later years she reliably hosted annual get-togethers of all the kids (now adults) that she saw grow up. She focused her time on Byard and her son Chris and his family. She took particular joy in her grandchildren Kirsten and Dylan, enjoying vacation trips and innumerable dance and singing recitals, Krav Maga practices, and just about anything her grandchildren would throw at her. A life-long lover and advocate of the endangered Eastern Bluebird, Judy was an early member of the NC Bluebird Society and had an uncanny ability to attract Bluebirds wherever she went. Most days of late one could find her enjoying her peaceful back porch while playing Words with Friends, reading books, and admiring her beloved birds. Having loved and been loved by too many others to mention here, she will leave an indelible mark on all who knew her. Judy is survived by her son Christopher Douglas Park and his wife, Cindi of Clifton, VA, step-sons David Park and his wife Jackie of Southport, NC and Russell Houck and his wife, Jennifer of Burke, VA; her grandchildren, Kirsten Sage Park, Dylan Christopher Park, Catherine Houck and Elizabeth Houck; her brothers, Randy Hite and his wife, Linda and Tommy Hite and his wife, Maxie; her “sister” Debby Simpson; her nephew, Travis Hite and his wife, Catherine; and many more nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service to celebrate Judy’s life will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 2:30 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with pastor Kathy Jo Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Judy’s memory to the North Carolina Bluebird Society, 4600 Chandler Grove Ct, Raleigh, NC 27612 or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at JDRF.org. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.