Judy was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5, 1941. After having three lovely children, David, Tara, and Steve and time spent as a real estate salesperson and a pre-school teacher, she began a career with the YMCA in Alexandria, Louisiana. She eventually became the vice president for community development for the Charlotte YMCA system and was widely acclaimed for her work in promoting opportunity for all to improve their lives in the different programs of the YMCA.

After retiring from the YMCA, she and her husband, Pat, moved to Savannah, Georgia. This is where she began her life as a sculptor. She found her passion in telling, through her bronze sculptures, the history and stories of the Gullah culture. “As I touch the clay to begin a new sculpture the story leads the way.” -Judy.