Judith Louise Young South

Born May 25, 1937 in Cleveland, Tennessee, she was raised in nearby Winchester where she graduated from Franklin County High School. She attended Florence State Teachers College, now known as the University of North Alabama. While there, she met the love of her life, James Mart “Jim” South. The couple was married for 32 years, until his untimely passing in 1988.

In her career in business and education administrative support, she spent a combined 23 years at Fairfield High School, Berry High School and with the Hoover City Schools, where she combined efficiency with Southern charm, caring and kindness.

She was also involved in PTA and her children’s endeavors. In other civic involvement, she and Jim were members of the Birmingham Jaycees where she made lifelong friends – her Supper Club, Southern Ladies Up to Something and theater buddies. She served as state parliamentarian for what was then known as the Jaycee Auxiliary. After retirement she moved to Auburn, where she served as Housemother for the Delta Chi chapter at the Loveliest Village, where she was “Mom” to many young Auburn men and women. She loved all things Auburn, especially Auburn men’s basketball, baseball and women’s gymnastics.

Throughout her life in education, she influenced the lives of thousands of young people, all of whom were considered her “kids.” Every friend of her children was loved as though they were her own.

She loved her two kids and her son-in-law (her SiL) fiercely. The lights of her life were her grandchildren, Tucker, Griffin and Anne Claire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Mart “Jim” South; her parents, George Robert Young and Anne Owen Young, her sister, Bobbe Young Windham, niece Judi Paulette Stewart Griffy; nephews Tom Stewart and Jeff Windham and brothers-in-laws Paul Turner Stewart and Frank Windham.

She is survived by her children, daughter Marty South Thomas and her husband Greg of Round Rock, Texas; son Paul of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, grandchildren Tucker, Griffin and Anne Claire South and their mother, Jennifer Stigall South of Mandeville, Louisiana, and her favorite fur baby, Delta.

She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Carole Young, niece Leigh Young, and nephews James Young (Michele) and Shayne Stewart (Michelle), Andy Stewart (Ann) and many great nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She will also be missed by her many dear friends whom she called family for sixty-plus years.

Her family would like to thank the 4th Floor nursing team, PT team, Palliative Care team at Brookwood Medical Center, as well as the Compassus Hospice staff who made sure she had the best care during these last few weeks.

A small graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Friday, April 29th, 2022 at 2pm.

A Celebration of Judy will be held at BridgeStreet Gallery and Loft following the service from 4pm-7pm. The address is 213 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd, S, Birmingham 35233. We will celebrate her life with fond memories, drinks and her favorite bites.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society - https://gbhs.org/donate, Lifesong for Orphans - Ukraine at www.lifesong.org, or to the charity of your choice.