Judy Lynn Stell departed this life and joined her Savior in heaven on Friday, September 26, 2025, following a fall resulting in a fatal intracranial hemorrhage.
She is survived by her sister, Janice ‘Jan’ Kay Stell Massey (husband Tom, their children – David John Massey (wife, Greer, their children, Maribel Patricia and Henry Thomas) and Kayla Lynn Massey Noel (husband, Jake); and her brother, John Elwin Stell Jr. (wife, Genene, their children, John III and Carrie). She was preceded in death by her parents, John Elwin Stell and Juanita Bush Stell, and by her nephew, Christopher Thomas Massey.
Judy was born at Crawford W. Long hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on March 17, 1947. She grew up in a small house built by her dad; grandfather, John Linton Stell; and her uncle, Harold Stell, which was located at 2551 McAfee Road in Decatur. Judy and Jan shared a bedroom. The family faithfully attended White Oak Hills Baptist Church, where Judy came to saving faith in Christ as a young teen.
She attended Gordon High School – class of 1965. Following high school, Judy worked as a graphic artist prior to enrolling at Georgia State University. Her college studies were interrupted by a serious head and facial injury sustained playing softball which required major reconstructive surgery and a long recuperation. Upon recovery, Judy enrolled in and completed Crawford Long’s Respiratory Therapy program, becoming a Certified Respiratory Therapist. She worked as a Respiratory Therapist for over 40 years, initially in Atlanta at Crawford Long, and then in Texas after moving around 1970. That first Texas position was at the Children’s Hospital in Ottine. She subsequently worked at rehabilitation and general hospitals, ending her career at Christus Spohn Hospital – Shoreline in Corpus Christi, where she was Director of Respiratory Services and finally at Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area. There she was again a Respiratory Therapist, having divested her former management duties and responsibilities at Spohn to devote herself exclusively to patient care.
Judy retired in 2014 to pursue her passion for travel as a Recreational Vehicle owner. She enjoyed camping and traveling throughout her adult life, outfitting a van for trips with friends while working. Upon retiring, she sold her house, purchased and moved into a small coach, fulfilling her dream of full time RVing. She spent the next ten years traveling and caravaning with fellow RVers around the U.S. while based out of RV parks around Corpus Christi.
Judy’s adventures were curtailed by health issues beginning with a concussion resulting from a fall in 2018. That event was the first of multiple which culminated in another fall requiring a craniotomy in June 2024. At that point she became a patient at Gulf Point Plaza, a skilled nursing facility in Rockport, Texas, where she remained until Jan and John moved her to Huntsville for memory care at Brookdale Hampton Cove.
Judy was known and deeply loved by family, friends and coworkers for her wit and mischievous spirit. She was kind and generous with her time, talent and love to all these and to patients. She loved to share tales of outlandish pranks played on friends and hospital staff, especially doctors.
Judy’s last home base was the VFW RV park in Ingleside, Texas. There she made dear friends and served in multiple roles including Chaplain for the VFW Auxiliary 6386, a duty she took very seriously. That role brought her back to her spiritual roots and allowed her to minister to several in time of need.
The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus Chapel with Tom Massey officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Because of her deep love for children, the family requests memorials to Saint Jude’s Foundation in lieu of flowers. Donations may be done online at: https://www.stjude.org/donate
