Judy Davis

Connell

Judyth "Judy" Dean Davis Connell passed away on May 20, 2023, in Thomasville, Georgia. Daughter of Leonard and Lila Lee Hicks Davis, she was born in Thomasville on August 17, 1941, as a sixth-generation descendant of one of Thomas County's founding families. She was a Southern lady who valued the principles of family, home and hearth, grace, gentility, heritage, and faith.
She was a 1959 graduate of Thomasville High School where she was active in Glee Club, Sub-Debs, Zeta Tri-Hi-Y, Spanish Club, and served on the literary and advertising staff of the Pines yearbook, becoming editor her senior year. Her love of music flourished during these years. She was recognized for having a beautiful soprano voice, a talent that resulted in a solo performance at her senior prom and participation in the Miss Thomasville pageant. Her love of music also manifested with weekly visits to Cocroft's music store, where she began an enviable collection of 45 RPM records.
She had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, cats, and horses. She was a skilled horsewoman who rode both Western and English. She spent her youth visiting family in Metcalfe and took great pleasure in riding her horses, Charlie and Big Man, on the beautiful clay roads and quail plantations. She made many happy memories horseback riding with her high school best friend.
She attended Wesleyan College where she studied music and developed her talent through private voice lessons. She was also an accomplished pianist. She married Dr. Grady Leon Young in 1963. While the couple lived in Germany for several years, she worked at the British embassy and became fluent in German. Returning to Thomasville in the late 1960s, she enjoyed a career at the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce that spanned more than four decades. She had a passion for mentoring youth and led a Youth Leadership Program at the Chamber. She was also particularly proud of the Chamber's annual Rose Parade.
She married Francis "Frank" Gwendale Connell in 1979, and they enjoyed a loving 40-year marriage until his death in 2019. At their home, Judy loved hosting family gatherings, especially at Christmas. She had a lifelong love of gardening. Judy and Frank also enjoyed traveling to visit family in other states and exploring destinations out West.
Her love of performing continued for many years. She founded the Quail Country Cloggers and took the group to many competitions and exhibitions. She also performed in several of the Thomasville Junior Service League's fundraising Follies events.
She was a faithful, lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for almost her entire adult life. She continued to make a joyful noise unto the Lord for as long as she could after ALS began affecting her vocal cords.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Connell and stepson, Greg Connell. She is survived by cousins Julie Saunders, Betsy Sawatzky, Lee Clore, Greg Jennings, Lee Jennings, Marie Stacy, Kate Wilder, Kate West, Augusta West, Louisa Patton, Debbie Thurman, Jay Smith, Robby Bennett, and Gary Hicks, stepdaughter Patti McWhorter, and their extended families.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Thomasville, Georgia, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. The service will be conducted by Rev. Carrie Myers, Senior Pastor. Pallbearers will be Don Sims, Ron Dixon, Greg Jennings, Robby Bennett, Wayne Newsome, and Charles Enfinger. The service will be followed by interment at the Hicks Cemetery, located on the corner of Hicks Road and New Hope Road near Metcalfe, Georgia. Funeral services are provided by Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Brewer, the staff at Camellia Gardens of Life Care, and Dajaiah Lankford for their compassionate care.
Memorial donations may be mailed to the Hicks Cemetery Fund c/o Thomas County Federal Bank, P.O. Box 1197, Thomasville, Georgia 31799. The preservation of this historic family cemetery was especially important to her, and she spent many years honoring her family history and the memory of loved ones buried there by ensuring that it was well-maintained. This is a legacy her family will faithfully continue.