Marilyn “Judy” Terry, age 80, of Athens, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving and caring family. She was born in Limestone County, Alabama, to the late Thomas Osbon and Evie Lee Gatlin. Judy was a homemaker and part-time caregiver who devoted much of her life to caring for others.
A memorial service will be held Monday, August 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Spry Funeral Home in Athens, Alabama, with Bill Irby, Ray Hill, and Brian Terry officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Athens.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Terry, Chase Edwards, Tim Gatlin, Jimmie McNairy, Tez Stone, and Brody White.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County or West Hobbs Street Church of Christ.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; several brothers, cousins, nephews, and nieces; and her beloved husband, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. She cherished her family and friends deeply and will be remembered for her loving, caring, nosey, spicy, and saucy spirit, as well as the lasting impact she had on everyone around her.
Judy is survived by her son, Brian Terry (Dana) of Athens, Alabama; grandson, Tyler Terry (Hayden) of Nashville, Tennessee; granddaughters, Lauren Edwards (Chase) of Hoover, Alabama, Meg Stone (Tez) of Athens, Alabama, and Reagan Jackson (Brody White) of Athens, Alabama; and great-grandsons, Hudson and Grayson Edwards of Hoover, Alabama, and Wade and Mac Terry of Nashville, Tennessee.
She is also survived by her sisters, Sue Farris of Gallatin, Tennessee; Barbara Harvey of Anderson, Alabama; Mickie Wales (Jackie) of Ardmore, Alabama; and Pam Cox (Ray) of Elkmont, Alabama; brothers, Tim Gatlin (Charlene) of Hillsboro, Alabama, and Larry Gatlin (Juanita) of Minor Hill, Tennessee; brothers-in-law, James Terry (Nancy) of Athens, Alabama, and Jimmy Terry (Brenda) of Jefferson City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Kathryne “Sue” Robinson (Jerry) of Meridianville, Alabama; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and church family members who were blessed to know and love her.
Judy was a faithful member of West Hobbs Street Church of Christ for 55 years. Her greatest joy was her family, but she also had a unique gift for meeting people and striking up a conversation with just about anyone willing to listen. She never met a stranger and could turn an ordinary trip to the store into an opportunity to visit with someone she knew—or someone she had just met.
Judy leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, kindness, and unforgettable memories and stories that will live on through her son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and the many lives she touched throughout her 80 years.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. And in the days ahead, there will surely be a noticeable void at McDonald’s, Lowe’s, Walmart, ALDI, and Rick’s BBQ—places where Judy was known to frequently visit, talk, laugh, and make friends.
Her family takes comfort in knowing that while Judy may no longer be making her rounds around town, the love, memories, laughter, and a little chaos from time to time that she created will remain with them forever.
