Judith "Judy" Tetlow Kidd

Judith Tetlow Kidd (Judy) passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by her children. Judy was born in 1934 in Upper Arlington, Ohio, the only child of Josephine Miller Howard and Percy William Tetlow. After graduating from Upper Arlington High School, she attended Northwestern University where she met her husband, George Joseph Kidd Jr. They married in 1956 and moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where they started their family.

Judy obtained her master’s degree in childhood education at The University of Tennessee while teaching English at several Oak Ridge public schools. Judy and George were active in the Oak Ridge arts community, enjoying symphony, theater and opera. Judy also served on the board of the Oak Ridge Arts Center. They were founders of the Foothills Craft Guild where they were known as The Toymakers, well known for making wooden toys and Christmas ornaments. They were members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, which played a central role in their lives.

After a teaching career of 40 years, Judy retired. She and George spent the next 10 years traveling extensively, cruising, and hosting the annual family trip to Hilton Head. George passed away in 2012 and Judy continued to travel, visiting (and spoiling) her children and grandchildren all over the country. In 2021 she moved to Tallahassee, Florida. She remained active with her book clubs, prayer groups, and the 3rd Order Society of St. Francis.

Judy is survived by her children Kristina Bowers (Phil), Mary Ray (Chris), George William Kidd (Jeanne); her grandchildren John Bowers (Katherine), Thomas Bowers (Kellie), Madeline Bowers and Kelley Kidd; and her great-grandchildren Thomas, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Theodore, Jack and Josephine (all Bowers).

The family would like to thank the staff at The Grove at Canopy, Sharon Rocker, Michael Lyons and Big Bend Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Judy and her family over the past year.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge, TN, at 10 am August 10, 2024. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to support a hospice organization in their community.