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Judith Bray Obituary

BRAY, Judith Judith "Judy" Anne Wallace Bray (Wife, Sweetie, Mom, GJ) passed away on June 19, 2020. She was born November 2, 1940 in Andover, MA to Frederick J. Wallace and Pauline Holt Burtt Wallace. The family moved to Cape Elizabeth, ME where Judy attended elementary school. They moved just up the road to South Portland, ME for Judy to attend junior and senior high school. She attended Westbrook Junior College in Portland, later transferring to Lesley College in Cambridge, MA from which she graduated in 1962 with a degree in Special Education. She met her husband and life partner Terry Bray at a fraternity party in the fall of 1960. They began to date and married in 1961. They remained in Cambridge through graduation in 1962, at which point they began a trek to Terry's home city of Austin, TX. They established their first home in Austin in time for Terry to start law school in the fall. Judy initially sought to teach in Austin public schools but was turned away because Terry's mother was a member of the school board. She substituted for the Eanes and Del Valle school districts until she secured a permanent position with the Meridell Achievement Center. During this time, Judy gave birth to two sons, Steve and John. The family moved to Houston in 1965 where Terry clerked for a federal judge. They returned to Austin a year later, and Judy gave birth to her daughter Becky in 1969. In 1970, the family moved to Annandale, VA so that Terry could work for the Solicitor General in Washington D.C. They returned to Austin in 1972 and purchased Judy's dream home on Green Lanes from Judge Ireland Graves' family. She and Terry lived on Green Lanes for the next 48 years. The home was Judy's masterpiece. Her family has powerful memories of her ceaseless efforts to improve the family's home. Had HGTV existed in the 1970's, she certainly would have been a star. Judy had so many passions during her bountiful life, but her primary focus always was her family. Her children learned early in life that she saw greatness in them. She was the personification of unconditional love, but she was never a pushover. She cajoled her children to think big, but she was ever ready to assuage the inevitable disappointments of youth. She told her children she didn't care what they chose to be in life. She simply expected them to give life everything they had. When she wasn't leading a Cub Scout meeting, manning concessions at a Little League game, sewing drill team costumes, or countless other activities to support her kids, she was a practicing entrepreneur, an active volunteer for Austin's animals and youth, and a devoted and loving "best friend" to her husband Terry. Among her many volunteer efforts, including the Austin Nature Center, The Junior League of Austin, and the Austin Woman's Club, the one that really stands out is her work with the Settlement Home for Children. Judy joined The Settlement Club of Austin in 1988, which supports the Settlement Home. At some point during her 32 years of involvement, she held every elected position and co-chaired the Garage Sale Holiday Department for many years. While she and the other club members worked all year getting ready for the sale, Garage Sale Week became a family affair. What's funny is she didn't have to ask the family for help. Her devotion to the cause was contagious, and being part of it with her was, quite frankly, fun. The Garage Sale was the most visible result of her devotion. Her fellow Settlement Club members say her main concern was for the girls living at the Settlement Home. If she saw a need, she fixed it without fanfare or recognition. She provided gear for the Run Club, photographs for Quinceanera, even a Defibrillator for the Gym/Warehouse. She was truly a quiet hero to those girls. Judy had a very special place in her heart for animals. The household at one time included ducks, guinea pigs, rats, fish as well as the usual cats and dogs. Once her children flew the coup, she showered her extra attention on stray cats, at one time providing a home for 20 at the same time. Trips to the Vet office were quite an adventure for her and an eye-opening spectacle for the other pet parents in the waiting room. Fortunately, the animal police never caught wind of the West Austin Home for Wayward Cats that Judy operated on Green Lanes. Judy's death, while unexpected, was very peaceful with her family at her side. God allowed her to die with grace, which is so fitting for a woman who sought never to be a burden on anyone, including her family. She left us with an image of her beauty, her laughter, her overwhelming kindness, her occasional feistiness, her fierce loyalty, and her integrity. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, Susan Wallace. She is survived by her husband, Terry, her children, Steve Bray (and wife Stacy), John Bray, and Becky Bray (and husband Ken Blaker), three grandchildren, Will Bray, Davis Bray, and Philip Bray, two step-grandchildren, Emily Madrid and RJ Teachenor, and many of her four-legged friends. Due to COVID-19, memorial service details will be provided when they become available. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Street Cat Rescue, Round Rock, Texas, the Settlement Home, or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Jul. 5, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Judith Bray

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6 Entries

Jennifer Cumberbatch

June 29, 2021

So, I was taking a floral arrangement class with my daughter three days ago 6-26-21 at the Commadore Perry Mansion. One of the class attendees was telling the instructor about the Settlement Club Citywide Garage Sale as a good place to purchase vessels for flower arrangements. I was nodding vigorously at her explanation of the event and asked her to ask her mother-in-law, a member of the club, if she knew my former neighbor, Judy Bray. Then I told her how my production Company staged Emily Mann's, " Having Our Say: The Delaney Sister's First One Hundred Years in 2012 and Judy Bray bought tickets for 6 girls from the Settlement House to see the production. How generous of Judy. Her report was that they enjoyed it immensely. What wisdom on Judy's part to send these girls to hear the words of these incredible Black women whose lives and the lives of their family hearalded remarkable achievements from slavery until the Reagan era. How precious of the Holy Spirit to give me an opportunity to remember and share Judy in this season. My dear former neighbor, Judy Bray.

Judy often employed our late, then teenage son, Ben to feed and care for her cats, when she went out of town. She was so kind to him.

And, lastly when my now 37 year old son was an infant and we lived in Bryker Woods at 30th and Beverly. I would walk him in his stroller down Green Lanes and admire the red British mailbox in the Bray's yard and think of the street as such charming place to live. So, when we moved on the street in my son's freshman year in college it was so exciting. I miss Judy and her chic haircut, hospitalit y, and generous, curious spirit. J. Cumberbatch

Joyce Harmon

July 20, 2020

My friend on many levels...My retail business partner for 10 years without one cross word. The Settlement Club
Warehouse/Sale will never be the same without her in Holiday.
Judy was great fun. I loved her and I am missing her. She left us way too soon..........I was honored to know her.

Ari Pettigrew

July 14, 2020

I was saddened to see the news about Judy. While my tenure at The Settlement Home was brief, getting to know Judy was a bright spot of the experience. I have fond memories of helping her find homes for some kittens that were born on the campus there. I enjoyed occasionally "sneaking" away from my duties to help her feed the little ones. My heart goes out to all of Judy's family; and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

July 10, 2020

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Jennifer and Ashton Cumberbatch

July 7, 2020

Terry and Children (Becky, Stephen, and John),
Ashton and I are so sorry to hear of Judy's (your Mom's) transition. She was a very good neighbor. I remember when Ashton and I bought our first house in Brykerwoods, I would take my oldest, Graham for walks in his stroller through the neighborhood and when I discovered your house with the red mailbox, I thought I had discovered a little cul-de-sac paradise. And, then years later we moved to 3 Green Lanes, when Graham was in high school and Judy and Terry became our very good neighbor.
I will never forget how Becky would blow the car horn as a good-bye to her mother after her visits to the house.
And, I will never forget Judy inviting my mother, visiting from Los Angeles, and me to her Christmas brunch, or Ashton and me to her Mardi Gras parties.
She was the perfect host and generous neighbor. She employed our youngest son, Ben, on a number of occasions to look after her pets, while you all were out of town.
Judy, bought tickets to my productions company's staging of "Having Our Say the Delany Sister's First One Hundred Years" and gave the tickets to six girls at the Settlement House. This was so generous and had a positive impact on this young ladies. We miss you both as neighbors and we will miss Judy on this terra firma plane.
Thank you so much for being good neighbors.
You are in our prayers and we are asking God for peace, and comfort.
Much Agape,
Jen and Ashton Cumberbatch and The Cumberbatch Family

Elizabeth Morgan

July 5, 2020

Terry, Steve, John, Becky, Judy was a friend, supporter and delight to be around. She always had the best get togethers for Austin Lawyers Wives meetings , and Junior League planning groups. I loved and learned so much from her. Judy was either smiling or laughing and her kindness was contagious. Judy always placed her family first. Judy made a difference in many peoples lives. I am proud to have been lucky enough to have known her for a little while. Blessings and peace. Elizabeth Jackson Gee Morgan

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