Judith Carol (Smith) Bryan

Remembering and celebrating the life of our founder Judy Bryan who passed away February 23, 2023. Judy started the Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program out of her garage on Holden Beach 35 years ago. In 1996 she was named NC Conservationist of the Year for her work with the loggerhead turtles on our beach. She was known for her love of turtles and her untiring work for them. She started the turtle patrol with her husband Rick and 4-5 other volunteers. Originally it was very informal but, she was a pioneer by establishing a turtle patrol with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Early patrol member remember her storing the ATVs in the garage of her home on the west end of Holden beach. She was always ready to help anyone. The first year of the patrol they had just 17 nests. Friends miss her laugh and her smile. She was always up for fun. In the beginning everyone on the patrol wore several "different hats". She was the turtle "queen".

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Judith Carol Bryan

Judy Bryan

Obituary Judith Bryan

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