Judith Ross Lilly

Judy was born April 15, 1944 in Lynch, Kentucky, daughter of the late Grace Lucille Johnson and the late Earl Howard Ross. She met her future husband, Chester (Ray) Lilly, at Lynch High School and both attended Cumberland College (University of the Cumberlands) and continued dating. After Chester graduated, Judy and Chester married and moved to the Birmingham, Alabama area where they have lived since.

Judy worked briefly while Chester went through graduate school until Chester began a long career at South Central Bell (BellSouth). Judy became a homemaker and raised three children, Chet, Suzanne, and Melissa.

Judy was very active with all sorts of homemaking responsibilities, including home-mother, den mother, field trips, carpooling, summer book clubs, team mother to the Dixie Youth Softball Team, Brownie mom, band mother, many fundraisers, crafts, and lots of homework assistance. Later in life after all three children were raised, Judy went back to school and graduated from the University of Montevallo (so she could check that college graduate box on any questionnaire!).

As children were married and had children of their own, mom became Nana and began the rounds of activities once again, this time with one granddaughter (Lexi) and two grandsons (Zac and Noah) and later a step-granddaughter (Cayti).

Judy stayed busy with lots of activities in and around Birmingham and was especially involved in planning family vacations – she loved the beach. But this also included many trips (and side trips) to historic places and sites along the way, as she loved all facets of American History.

When her father passed away, her mother Lucille moved in with Chester and Judy and they became primary caretakers. Lucille travelled everywhere with Judy and even joined in with all the activities until just a few years ago.

When her kidneys failed, Judy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. This meant thrice weekly dialysis and weekly chemo shots. But this did not stop her. She kept going (and driving) until just a few weeks ago. Judy never complained and was always encouraging and kind. While the treatment and regimen were certainly challenging, she soldiered on always seeking to live for the good times and to share in the activities of loved ones.

Judy was a marching band fan, attending games to watch her son and daughters perform and then later, granddaughter and grandson – even attending games after medical treatments she had over the years. She loved watching Alabama football too, unless the games were close, in which case she would leave the room and ask Chester for updates!

Until the end, Judy was a loving wife and mom and Nana (including to her children’s and grandchildren’s spouses and friends). She was the central clearing house of family information. She was the neighborhood mom. She was a great daughter, sister, aunt. She was a cherished and fun friend.

Judy was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Lucille Ross, and, by her sister, Sherill Blankenship.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Chester; brothers Bob Ross of Ocala, Florida and Jeff Ross of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brother-in-law Orville Lee Blankenship of Summerfield, Florida; brother-and sister-law Todd and Becky Lilly of Hurricane, West Virginia; son Chet Lilly and daughter-in-law Eleanor of Dunwoody, Georgia; daughter Suzanne Wallace of Helena and daughter Melissa Shaw and son-in-law Chris of Alabaster; granddaughter Lexi Wallace; grandsons Zac Wallace and Noah Payne; step-granddaughter Cayti Shaw; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL. Funeral Service will be held on February 22, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL. As attendance will be somewhat limited and as others may not be able to travel, the service will also be available through a Facebook live stream.

While flowers are always appreciated, the family would also suggest donations to either the International Myeloma Foundation or the Alabama Kidney Foundation.