Dr. Judith Corinne Warren Caves

She was preceded in death by her parents, Davis Thomas Warren and Edith Violet Warren, of Somonauk IL; brother Alvin Warren; brother-in-law John Fox; and her beloved husband, Dr. Thomas Caves Sr. to whom she was married for 44 years.

Dr. Judy Caves is survived by her sister Gwendolyn Ann Fox of Sandwich IL, and sister-in-law Myrtie Warren, of Somonauk; a son Thomas Caves Jr., Daughter-in-Law Arlene Joanna Caves, two grandchildren, Michael Christopher Caves and Grayson Cameron Caves, from Raleigh; and many nieces and nephews.

Her passion was her family—no matter how far away they lived or how young or old each generation became. She thoroughly enjoyed music, singing in the church choir at St. Paul’s Christian Church for over 50 years, and cheering for her favorite sports teams—the NC State University Wolfpack and the Boston Red Sox.

Dr. Caves was born in Sandwich, Illinois, which serves a large farming community in DeKalb County, about one hour due west of Chicago. Her parents immigrated from England and settled in nearby Somonauk, where she always felt at home. To her dying day Judy kept a jar of soil (don’t call it dirt!) from the family farm at her home in Garner.

After graduating from Cornell College in Iowa, Judy served a 3-year mission in Malaysia and Indonesia. Upon concluding her mission, she worked for the Methodist Church Office in Manhattan, New York City. It was here that Dr. Caves met the love of her life, Dr. Thomas Caves, Sr. As Tom Sr. completed his postdoctoral work at Columbia University, he received an offer to teach Chemistry at North Carolina State University, where he taught for 30 years. Tom and Judy raised a son Thomas Jr., who Judy referred to as “the wind beneath her wings.”

Judy went to work for the state of North Carolina in 1976, working for Dorthea Dix Hospital as a staff psychologist. She later worked as Supervisor of Psychological Programs for the Department of Correction at Central Prison in Raleigh. At Central Prison, Judy offered counseling services to offenders serving lengthy terms—including many offenders sentenced to life in prison or on death row. Judy also pursued a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology while balancing professional responsibilities at the prison and her passion for family gatherings. She received her doctorate degree in July of 1994.

Outside of work, Judy was an active member of the NC State University Club from 1970 until her death. While Thomas Jr. attended Broughton High School, she served as a “Band Booster” President and Chaperone. Judy is also remembered for supporting fundraisers at St. Paul’s Christian Church, where she served as a Serving Elder and Board Chair. She also hosted gourmet dinner events that she and Tom hosted annually, to raise funds for her church.

Flowers or gifts to the Montagnard Refugee Fund at St. Paul’s Christian Church are welcome and encouraged.

A visitation for Judith will be held Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.

On July 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM a memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Christian Church in honor of Judith. Following the service; a committal ceremony will be held in the columbarium with a reception to follow at St. Paul's Christian Church; 3331 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. Ladies attending the service are encouraged to wear hats.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the Caves family.