Judith Heath Kelly

Judith Heath Kelly, 88, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Born on September 7, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late John and Julia Heath, Judy graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1955. She attended Auburn University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the University of Alabama in May of 1960. Through a dear family friend, Nola, Judy met James Edward Kelly, Sr. of Lafayette, Louisiana. She traveled by train to Lafayette for the Homecoming festivities at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, where Jim was pursuing a graduate degree. They quickly fell in love, beginning a lifelong partnership and marriage that endured for 64 years.

Jim and Judy were married on June 11, 1960, at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church and began their life together in Homewood, Alabama, where Judy started her career as a dietitian. In 1965, they moved to Tampa, Florida, to raise their young family. There, Judy worked in education and administration and was active in civic organizations, including the Junior League of Tampa. In 1982, they returned to Alabama, where she served as an administrative assistant at Carver High School. Three years later, they moved to Beaumont, Texas, where she continued in a similar role at Kelly High School. After retiring, Jim and Judy returned to Alabama and settled in Vestavia Hills, where they attended Shades Valley Presbyterian Church. Judy enjoyed serving in the church and singing in the choir. She was a devoted member of PEO/Chapter AA and loved reading to young children in local schools. Above all, Judy loved Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She treasured her family and was deeply proud of her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Kelly, Sr.; her younger sisters, Jane Heath Childers and Margaret Heath Strickland; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Jamie Twiner Kelly. She is survived by her sons, James Edward Kelly, Jr. and his wife, Stephanie, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Brian Heath Kelly and his wife, Jennifer, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and by her daughter, Colleen Kelly Maxwell and her husband, Gary Don, of St. Petersburg, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Garrett Mitchell Maxwell of Monroe, Louisiana, Pearson Holt Kelly of Columbus, Georgia, Heath Phillips Kelly and Holt Anderson Kelly, and their mother, Beth Phillips Kelly, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, William Morgan Plaisance and Lauren Leigh Plaisance of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and her great-granddaughter, Camilla Rose Maxwell of Monroe, Louisiana. Judy is also survived by her brother-in-law, John B. Childers of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and her sister-in-law, Mary Turner Kelly of Pensacola, Florida. She was dearly loved by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Judy deeply appreciated her caregivers, Patsy Banks and Laura Bond, as well as the staff of St. Martin’s in the Pines, ProHealth Home and Hospice, and Dr. Mary Alice Strawn.

Judith Heath Kelly will be laid to rest at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Judy’s memory to PEO’s Scholarship Fund, an organization close to her heart that provides scholarships and educational support to deserving young women.

Checks should be made to:

PEO Foundation

Chapter AA, Alabama Scholarship Fund

3700 Grand Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50312