Judith Dianne “Judy” Barbee, 80, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 23, 2024. Juju, as she was affectionately known, leaves behind a legacy as a sweet, Godly woman who loved her family and the children entrusted to her care. During her 60-year marriage, Judy was a devoted wife to Tony, a loving mother to Angel, and a special “aunt” to many others. Judy’s mission field was definitely the children God put in her path, and she relished every second of it.

Born on March 20, 1944, Judy was the middle child of A.V. and Gladys Bateman. Along with siblings Gail and Robyn, Judy was raised in a loving Christian home in Port St. Joe. Across the street, she met the love of her life when she was just in the 6th grade and he in the 9th. They eventually married in 1963 and she was with her Tony until his death earlier this year. With the arrival of daughter Angel in 1967, their family unit was complete.

After graduating from Port St. Joe High School in 1963, Judy attended business college in Tallahassee before marrying and moving to Gainesville. As a stay-at-home mom, Judy ensured that Angel and Tony were well taken care of—even spoiled. She was an active children’s worker at First Baptist Church, including Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, and Training Union teacher. She was also famous for her sweet Kool-aid among all the neighborhood kids.

In 1983, Judy began to care for children in her home, starting with just two babies and growing into a daycare of many of “Aunt Judy’s” children over the years before retiring in 1995. This all changed in 1997 upon the birth of twins Delilah & DeVoss Harrison. After a little coaxing, Judy came out of retirement and she and Tony spent the next 26 years enjoying these twins.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Charles Anthony “Tony” Barbee and their first-born daughter Tina. She was also preceded by her parents A.V. and Gladys Bateman and her siblings Gail Hinote and Robyn Bateman. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Angel and Daryl Parker and a special cousin Wynette Peacock. She is also survived by nephews Hal Hinote (Melanie and Ethan) and Jeff Hinote (Kay, Jeremy, Dee, Ben) and nieces Stacy Stomp and Marcie Hallanan. Judy also leaves behind the children from her daycare including Leslie White Townsend, Delilah Harrison Gorey, and DeVoss Harrison.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EST at Hope Family Worship Center with the service to follow at 4:00 under the direction of Rev. Glenn Davis. A Committal Service will follow at Holly Hill Cemetery under the direction of Rev. Billy Rich and Mary Lou Cumbie.

The family would like to thank their many faithful friends for the prayers and acts of love and kindness during Judy’s Homegoing.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home.