Judith "Judy" Jones Turnage

Judith Lynn Matthews (Jones Turnage) passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2025, holding hands with loved ones. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, to William Lee and Doris Jean Matthews, Judy spent her early years in Ohio before moving to Dunedin, Florida, at age 7, where she was raised alongside her beloved sisters, Janice Lee and Joyce Louise.

Judy was a proud graduate of Dunedin High School, where she was a member of the piping band and a talented Highland dancer. After graduating in 1972, she moved to Georgia to attend Mercer University, where she later earned her pharmacy degree. In 1977, she married Dale Leroy Jones (a pharmacy classmate at Mercer), and together they built a life in Charlotte, North Carolina, welcoming their first child, Matthew Thomas, in 1980.

Judy and Dale, both pharmacists, founded a long-term care consulting business and worked side by side for many years. In 1983 and 1986, they welcomed their daughters, Lindsay Kathleen and Laura Elizabeth. Judy later continued her education, earning her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Shenandoah University in 2005.

In addition to their pharmacy careers, Judy and Dale also owned and operated a beloved Scottish retail business, Near and Far Scottish, sharing their passion for heritage and culture with their community for many years. They remained devoted partners in both life and work until Dale’s sudden passing in 2006. Her deep connection to her children and her unwavering faith carried her through that difficult time. In 2010, Judy met Leonard Rudolph “Rudy” Turnage at a golf tournament at Pine Lake Country Club, where she and her family had been longtime members. Rudy and Judy married in 2011 and recently celebrated 14 wonderful years together, filled with trips, concerts and countless dances.

In 2021, Judy experienced a tragic fall that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Guided by her faith and determination, she spent 45 days in rehabilitation and miraculously regained mobility, eventually walking with no assistance. Just two years later, she was back on the golf course, playing nine holes.

In 2023, Judy was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. She faced the illness with courage, grace, and an unshakable spirit. Though she ultimately lost the battle, her strength and optimism never wavered.

If you knew Judy, you knew one could feel her faith, joy and support in just her smile. Her dance moves and her ability to live in the moment will guide all those her survive her. Throughout her life, Judy received countless recognitions for her contributions to long-term care pharmacy and for her 45 years of devoted membership at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, where she was a cherished presence. Her impact will continue to ripple even though she has passed, and she will always be known as the eternal optimist. Let joy guide all who remember and love her.

Judy was predeceased by her husband of 29 years, Dale Jones; her father, William Matthews; and her brother-in-law, Banks Richardson.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rudy Turnage; her three devoted children and daughter-in-law: Matt Jones and Alethea Platter of Edwards, CO; Lindsay Jones of Charlotte, NC; and Laura Jones of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by her mother, Doris Matthews of Charlotte, NC; her sisters and brother-in-law, Janice and husband Jim Wright of Cookeville, TN, and Joyce Raidle of Goodyear, AZ; her sister-in-law, Barbara Ann Richardson of Aberdeen, NC; her nephews, William Raidle of Salt Lake City, UT, and Luke Raidle of Seattle, WA. She will be dearly missed by her cherished cat, Sissy, and countless beloved grand-pets.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Visitation will begin in the Main Sanctuary at 1:30 PM, followed by service at 3:00 PM. Following the service, there will be additional time in the courtyard to connect with Judy’s family.

In honor of Judy’s vibrant spirit, guests are encouraged to wear bright colors — she would have loved to see a joyful splash of color as we celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bright Blessings, the Luke Day Foundation, or the Reed Parlier Memorial Foundation.