Judy A. Walters

Judy A. Walters, age 84, of Cumming, Georgia, peacefully entered heaven with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, surrounded by the love of her big, beautiful family.

Born in Buffalo, New York, to Maurice and Norma Connor, Judy lived a life centered around faith, family, and friendship. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Nelson Connor, and her children Penney Bruner and Tom Walters.

Judy met the love of her life, Carl Walters, through their mutual friend Karen Schlicta when she was just 15 years old. Their first meeting was at a dance hosted by the Kenmore, New York YWCA, and from that moment on, the two were smitten with one another. At the time, Carl was serving in the United States Marine Corps, but that didn’t stop him from finding his way back to Buffalo whenever he could, even hitchhiking all the way from North Carolina just to see Judy, the girl who had captured his heart.

Judy’s greatest accomplishment in life was raising her five children, a task filled with love, energy, and humor. She poured her heart into her home and her family, creating an environment that was joyful, welcoming, and full of laughter. As her children often say, raising them was both her biggest challenge and her proudest achievement.

She found happiness in the simple things: decorating her home, collecting unique dolls, cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who adored their “Nana.” Her house was a gathering place for playing games, watching movies, baking Christmas cookies, and hosting epic family holiday bashes. All the grandchildren loved spending summer days swimming at the neighborhood pool, and Nana was always there smiling, playing, and cooking for everyone. She was deeply loved by her many friends, especially her YMCA group, where she enjoyed water aerobics and canasta, and her wonderful friends in the Red Hat Society, who shared countless lunches, bridge tournaments, laughter, and memories together.

She was a mother to many of her children’s friends, letting them stay at her house when they felt they had nowhere to go. She took the words of Jesus Christ to heart and lived by them. All were welcome at Judy’s home.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Carl Walters; her sons and daughters-in-law Tim (Diane), Ted (Cindi), and Terry and Connie; and her son-in-law Tony (Janie) Bruner.

Her legacy continues through her 13 grandchildren: Marcus, Mandee, Connor, Roney, Emily, Matthew, Taylor, Jacob, Carli, Carter, Reagan, Henry, and Luke. She also leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren: Marley, Lainey, Clara (and her soon-to-be-born sister), Rhya, Madeline, Olivia, Christina, Julia, Jace, and Luke, each of whom brought her endless joy.

The funeral Mass celebrating Judy’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, located at 4633 Shiloh Road, Cumming, GA 30040. A reception with plenty of food and fellowship will follow at the church. Burial will take place at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

Judy will be remembered for her unconditional love, her vibrant and outgoing spirit, and her gift for friendship. Guided by her deep faith, she lived each day with kindness and gratitude, finding joy in caring for others and sharing God’s love through her actions. She and Carl shared a lifetime of memories with dear friends, often hosting dinner parties filled with laughter, great food, and her famous stuffed mushrooms, Buffalo wings, and flaming desserts. Her laughter, warmth, and grace will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew her.