Judy Cheryl Walker

Judy C. Walker passed peacefully into the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Born and raised in Athens, GA, she graduated from Athens High School in 1962 and attended the University of Georgia. During this time, she met her future husband, John Mark Walker, Jr. (known as J. Mark Walker), who was a Navy Ensign attending the Supply Corps Basic Qualification Course in Athens. After a six-month courtship and a year-long correspondence via U.S. Mail, they married. Shortly after their wedding, Mark was deployed to the Vietnam theater, leaving Judy in Charleston, SC, where she welcomed their first child, Cheryl. Following Mark's release from active duty in November 1966, the family moved to Northern Virginia, where Mark began a sales career, and Judy embraced her role as a full-time homemaker. Their family grew with the births of Jack, also known as Johnny, in 1968 and Jason in 1979. Later that year, they relocated to the Atlanta area for Mark's work, and in 1981, they welcomed their fourth child, Joshua. Judy's passion for helping others led her to volunteer in the counseling department of their church and at Cobb Pregnancy Center, a crisis pregnancy center. She eventually became the Director of the center, a role she cherished for two years. Encouraged by her husband, she returned to academia, enrolling at Kennesaw State University. Judy graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Psychology, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. She later earned her Ph.D. and established a private counseling practice. A dedicated member of the Georgia Christian Counselors Association, Judy served two terms as President. She also taught a Christian counseling course, "How Can I Help?", authored by her brother, Dr. Skip Hunt, at her church. Judy was predeceased by her parents, Dock Leon Hunt and Ruth Jones Hunt of Athens, GA, and her brother, William Howard (Skip) Hunt, Ph.D., of Tampa, FL. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, J. Mark Walker; their children: Cheryl Anne Newton (Darin) of Neenah, WI, Johnny Walker, Ph.D. (Alisa) of Acworth, GA, Jason M. Walker (Carrie) of Kennesaw, GA, and Josh M. Walker (Tina) of Clearwater, FL; along with 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to a crisis pregnancy center or to the Mount Paran North Church of God Counseling Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 11:00AM at Mount Paran North Church in Marietta, GA.