Judith Gay Jones

Judith “Judy” Gay Jones, age 77, danced her way through the pearly gates on June 9th, 2025 at Christopher House in Austin, Texas due to complications from Alzheimer’s and dementia after celebrating her final Pentecost Sunday.

Judy was born November 3rd, 1947 in Austin, Texas to Wilma Richter and Johnny Graham Jones. She attended Casis Elementary and O’Henry Middle School, graduating from Austin High in 1965. She briefly attended the University of Texas at Austin before moving to a commune in Oregon, where she developed her love of baking. After moving back to Texas, Judy worked in sales for her family’s printing business, the Whitley Company, for a number of years.

She left her position there to pursue her real passions of music and service as an unpaid musical director at St. David’s Episcopal Church. Faith was always a part of Judy’s life. Raised at First Baptist, she found her place in the choir loft and never left. Following her marriage to Lewis Jones, she moved down the hill to St. David’s where she sang in the choir, led historical tours of the church, ministered to other congregants, and served on the altar guild. Judy’s service at St. David’s led her to answer the Lord’s call and become a priest. She studied at the Iona School for Ministry and became ordained on January 24th, 2009. She was a beautifully spiritual person and her ministry was one of deep caring for those in need and immense love of the Lord.

Judy had a huge servant’s heart. She served on numerous boards, including the Helping Hand Home for Children, Trinity Center, and Warm Heart International. She loved volunteering in various ministries at St. David’s. In her later years, Judy was an active volunteer at the Community First! Village Art House where she found joy in providing meals and helping with pottery projects. Even in memory care, she was always looking out for her friends and neighbors.

She was predeceased by her parents; son, Robert “Drew” Andrew Small; and husbands, Robert Small and Lewis Avery Jones.

Judy is survived by her children, John Joseph Small Maverick and Elizabeth Anne Hamilton of Austin; her brother, Ron Jones of Lexington, Texas; nieces, Stephanie Jones Dent of Memphis, Tennessee, Carsen Jones of Lexington, Texas, Jenica Jones of Austin, Jennie Gunnarsen of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Lee Sher of Ojai, California; nephews, Matt Jones of Lexington, Texas, Jenner Jones of Waco, Texas, Jace Jones of Lexington, Texas, Dan Jones, and Junior of Charleston, South Carolina, and their families.

A celebratory funeral (Mom always loved a good party) will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 22nd at St. David’s Episcopal Church with a reception to follow. Please wear your bright colors and be prepared to laugh and sing.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Trinity Center Austin, Community First! Village, or Warm Heart International.