Judy Jones Powell

Judy Jones Powell, 78, of Tallahassee, Florida, peacefully completed her earthly journey on July 31st, 2026. A compassionate soul whose warmth touched many, Judy began her life's story in Marianna, Florida, where she was born on July 17th, 1948.

Judy spent the majority of her career as a diligent bookkeeper. When she wasn’t tending to accounting duties and working her mathematical magic, you could find Judy crafting works of love. Whether in her kitchen, at her sewing machine, or in her garden, there was never a time in her life where she wasn’t pouring her heart into creating something beautiful.

She was known far and wide for her pound cake and apple dumplings, her gardens always filled with wildflowers, and her talent as a gifted seamstress. Judy dedicated many years to hand-embroidering quilts for each of her grandchildren and sewed Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren year after year.

For nearly two decades, Judy was a beloved member of the Haywood Cates Baptist Church family, now known as New Life Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and Children's Church.

Judy's hands were never idle. Her hands helped raise her younger siblings while still a girl herself. Her hands raised her own children, and later held her grandchildren, who she lovingly referred to as her “eight heartbeats” from the day each one was born. Those hands never stopped giving, mending, and caring for the family she fervently loved for 78 years.

She is survived by her three children, Jay Heath, Tascha Shiver (and William), and Katrina Roddenberry (and Jon); her eight grandchildren, Heather Shiver (and Craig), Brittany Heath (and Rick), Halie Jones (and Chris), Forest Ruechel (and Nate), Brook Ross (and Alex), Seth Heath, Makenna Nix (and Elijah), and Lia Roddenberry; and one great-grandchild, Miles Jones. She is also survived by her sisters, Rachel and Mary; her brother, Johnny; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her best friends for over 60 years, Josie and Betty.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother, Minnie L. Bragg Watford; her brothers, Dennis and Timothy Jones; her sister, Gloria Nichols; and her great-grandson, Benjamin Jones.

Though our hearts are heavy, we will gather to cherish the happy memories and kind spirit of Judy Powell at Culley's MeadowWood, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL from 12:00-4:00 PM ET on August 9th, 2026.