Judith Ann Lawrence McKay
On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Judith Ann Lawrence McKay, mother of two children, step mother to three and "Mimi" to eight grandchildren, passed away one day after turning 77. Judy was born in Memphis, TN. On May 24, 1944 to Frederick Lopez Lawrence and Clara Henley Lawrence. Judy was a life long Memphian and a descendant of members of the founding party led by Andrew Jackson. The Lawrence brothers were surveyors who mapped the City of Memphis, with one going on to become the fourth Mayor of Memphis.
Judy was a member of the 1962 graduating class of eight at St. Mary's Episcopal School, the first of the modern era. From there she moved to Columbus, MS. where she attended the Mississippi College for Women.
Possessing boundless energy, Judy was a member of the Suburban Garden Club, The Le Bonheur Club, volunteer for the Oral School for the Deaf, a member of Germantown Baptist Church and Subsidium where she served as president in 1987. One of her passions was "antiquing" owning multiple booths with her best friend, Loree Jones, over several decades. Then of course, there was Christmas where her home on Carter's Grove became a subsidiary of Santa's workshop with every nook and cranny decorated
No Christmas tree was large enough for a home with forty foot ceilings, until finally one year the mammoth tree tipped over and crashed narrowly missing mom Clara's bridge club luncheon that Judy was hosting. Later, the elderly ladies, having spent the afternoon playing cards and sipping from the stock of the full bar, hardly noticed the downed forty foot Northern Pine as they gayly filed out through the living room.
The year was 2000 when she would meet Kenneth William McKay through mutual friends Bob and Becky Schaeffer. They were smitten with one another from the beginning and would wed exactly one year later. Both had yearned for a "big family" and with a blend of four daughters and one son, they created instant gratification.
Judy is survived by the "Love of my Life" Ken and her children, Debbie Sodec (Jeremy), Birmingham, AL, Greg Campbell, Memphis, TN, grandchildren, John Henry Campbell, Cameron Sodec, Freddie Campbell and Cooper Sodec. In addition, step children, Michelle Warren(Chris), Marlow Harris (Jeff), Courtney Neal (Ryan) all of Memphis, TN, step grandchildren, Levi Warren, Tucker Harris, Summer Warren and Webb Neal, with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Frederick "Lin" Lawrence (Nina).
The McKay family would like to extend special thanks to all of Judy's health care givers during her journey. In addition, words cannot properly express our love and gratitude for Methodist Hospice Nurse, Tori Billings. Last, the family wants to recognize Sherran Kinney for her friendship, devotion and commitment to Judy and Ken during their time of need.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901)767-8930.