Judith Dickerson Bullock

Judith Dickerson Bullock of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she graduated from St. Catherine’s School in 1956 and the College of William and Mary in 1960, where she earned an A.B. in English and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She later earned her M.A. in English from Stanford University.

While working for IBM in Washington, D.C., Judy met her lifelong love, William B. (Bill) Bullock. They married in 1966 and settled in Atlanta, where Bill’s career with Lockheed Martin also sent them to Boston, Paris, London, and Fort Worth.

A gifted musician, writer, and cook, Judy filled her home with music and laughter. She could both read and play music by ear, leading spontaneous sing-alongs that became beloved memories for family and friends. Friends remember her as having an “unshakable, sturdy, infectious rhythm,” practically bouncing off the piano bench while playing and improvising at a moment’s notice. Her passion for cooking, inspired by Julia Child’s, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, made every meal a gourmet experience. As a devoted mother, her steadfast encouragement, love, and support of her daughter in all that she pursued, especially her career as an artist, was unmatched. She filled her home with Caroline’s art and was her premier patron.

Judy shared her love of music through several decades of service at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, where she co-founded the Primary Choir, established a Handbell Choir, and became the church’s first female Senior Warden. Additionally, she wrote the music and played the piano for the Organ Follies, a much beloved, multi-year variety show to raise funds for a new church organ.

Outside of the church, Judy was a long-time member of her beloved Atlanta book club. Members admired her for her keen intellect, grace and kindness. She also maintained a nearly 70-year friendship with her closest Pi Beta Phi sisters, gathering annually for “Pi Phi Camp.” Her gift with song and the piano elevated her membership with the Symbelles, an all-female, local singing group. Their performances supported the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where she was a longtime patron and season ticket holder.

As avid sailors, Judy and Bill chose to spend their retirement in the Chesapeake Bay area. Their home in Kilmarnock, VA was their Shangri-La: they sailed the Bay, held legendary crab pickings, dozed in the hammock and toasted the extraordinary sunsets every evening.

Upon their return to Atlanta due to Bill’s illness, she was a dedicated wife and partner like no other. Judy’s friends and family describe her accurately as an exceptional wife, devoted mother, dear friend, and one of the most accomplished and heroic people they have known. She was a treasure.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Caroline Bullock. She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. (Bill) Bullock, her sister, Janet Sanford Smith of Indialantic, Florida and her parents, Henry Wyatt Dickerson and Christabelle Lindsey Dickerson of Richmond, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 12:00 Noon at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 805 Mt. Vernon Highway, Atlanta, Georgia 30327. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church or the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

A special thank you to: Janice Hayman for her decade long care of and friendship with Judy, the staff of Menders at Lenbrook and Hospice Atlanta.