Judy Faye Richardson Hester

Mrs. Judy Faye Richardson Hester, age 82, of Decatur passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. Funeral Service will be Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Shelton Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur, Alabama. The family will receive friends for visitation at the chapel from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the service. A Graveside Service will also be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 with a brief viewing from 10:30 AM until the service begins at 11:00 AM at Mt. Vernon City Cemetery in Vidalia, Georgia. Afterwards, family and friends are invited to gather at Mt. Vernon First Baptist Church to share stories and celebrate Mrs. Hester’s amazing life. Mrs. Hester was born on August 27th, 1942, in Lyons, Georgia. She was the daughter of John A. and Nell Richardson of Mt. Vernon, Georgia. Judy grew up as a member of the local Methodist Church. She spent her time with a very close group of cousins that were more like siblings to her, as well as her big brother, John (Richardson) and younger sisters, Gail (McDaniel) and Susan (Ulbricht). She was an extraordinary athlete as a basketball player and cheerleader for her high school, the Montgomery County Rebels; and her junior college, the Brewton Parker Barons. She continued her education and graduated from West Georgia College. Judy then received her Master’s degree in education from Jacksonville State University. She went on to teach for 30 years, most of which was spent at Somerville Road Elementary as a Chapter 1 Reading teacher. She spent her afternoons and weekends alongside her husband Jimmy (Hester) on the golf course as he coached Austin High School’s golf team. Judy always enjoyed sports of every variety. She was a huge Alabama football fan. In her downtime, she enjoyed shopping and cruising the Tennessee River with her two closest friends, Mary Margaret (Cork) and Debbie (Adcox). As talented of an athlete, as accomplished as a teacher, and as supportive as a coach’s wife as Judy was, she was an even more extraordinary mother to Dawn (Wilson) and Stan (Hester); grandmother to Madison (Hurn) and Royal (Wilson); and great-grandmother to Bailey, Emma, and Sawyer (Hurn). She loved and lived for her family, making every birthday and holiday so very special. She always attended every event and milestone in their lives. There hasn’t been a moment that she wasn’t present for; and for this, she will be dearly missed. Her laugh, smile, and stories will go on in the hearts of those who had the absolute privilege to know her. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made In Loving Memory of Judy Faye Richardson Hester to The Multiple Myeloma Foundation. Shelton Funeral Home was honored and entrusted to assist the family with arrangements.

Judy Faye Richardson Hester

August 27, 1942 - March 22, 2025