Judy Brantley Washburn

Judy Brantley Washburn passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, California on February 26, 2023. She fought a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for the past four years. Judy's goal was to make it to her and Gary's 55th wedding anniversary on 2/25/2023. Through sheer will, she made it through the entire day. She was surrounded by her devoted husband and three loving children when she passed away.

Graveside funeral services will be held at Rehoboth Baptist Church near Kite, GA on Saturday March 11, 2023. Her nephew, Roger Sims will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Stanley Funeral Home in Wrightsville, Georgia. Interment will be in the Rehoboth Church cemetery with her parents at 1:00 PM.

Judy was born on February 5, 1946, in Wrightsville, Georgia to William Riley Brantley and Susie Mae Colston Brantley. She graduated from Wrightsville High School in 1964. In high school she could have been elected "Miss Congeniality" because she brought joy to all who knew her. A host of her high school classmates lovingly greeted her on her annual trips back to Wrightsville. In high school she played the drum in the marching band and sang in the girl's trio. During her teens she was the regular pianist at Oaky Grove Primitive Baptist Church where she had earlier made her profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Judy graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1967 with a BS degree in Education. In August of 1967 when she went to teach school in Forest Park, Georgia she met a young army lieutenant, Gary Washburn, from Los Angeles, California. It was love at first sight for both, and they were married February 25, 1968. They commemorated 55 happy years of marriage the day before her death.

Shortly after Gary's release from the army, Judy and Gary moved to Charleston, SC. After a couple of years there they moved to Worcester, Massachusetts where their two oldest children were born. In 1975 they moved to Los Angeles, California where their youngest child was born in 1978. While living in California, Judy made sure that her family visited Georgia at least once a year. While she lived in California, Georgia was always where her heart lived.

Soon after moving to California, Judy and Gary earned their real estate licenses. Judy and Gary had always wanted to own their own business so they could work together. They worked for several real estate agencies, ending up at Berkshire Hathaway Realtors. Judy was an astute real estate agent who endeared herself to clients and co-workers with her business acumen as well as her gentle quiet demeanor and her infectious smile. Judy continued to do real estate with Gary until the end of 2022.

Gary worked alongside Judy, and co-workers were amazed at their love for each other. Judy and Gary witnessed to co-workers and friends of their love for Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Several testified that they came to faith in Christ through the witness of the Washburn's. Judy was a member of the Church at Rocky Peak.

In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Roe Brantley of Wrightsville, Georgia and her sister Martha Brantley Bacon of Statesboro, GA.

Those left to cherish her memory are devoted husband Gary Washburn; son Bob Washburn, daughters Suzy Washburn (Patrick Radford) and Kimberly Washburn. Grandchildren are Brittany Tauber Raft (Shawn), Jake Goldman, Paige Goldman, Lexi Valley, Jeff Tauber, Ashley Radford, and Cole Woodward. Judy is survived by a sister Angelyn Brantley Sims Price (Bennie) of Fort Valley, GA and a brother Riley Brantley, Jr. (Diane) of Lyons, GA. She is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Judy loved all her family, and they dearly loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. Stanley Funeral Home in Wrightsville GA will manage all arrangements.

ALS Association Golden West Chapter Webpage: https://secure.alsagoldenwest.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1600&mfc_pref=T&1600.donation=form1