Judy Pugh Calhoun

July 30, 1953 - January 31, 2022

Judy Pugh Calhoun, 68, of Marietta, died Monday January 31st at her home in Marietta. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, February 7th at the chapel of First Baptist Church in Marietta with Rev. Doctor Bill Ross officiating. A private graveside service will be at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery in Marietta. The family will receive friends in the parlor at First Baptist Church from 1-1:55 PM Monday. Judy was born July 30, 1953 to Lloyd and Betty Pugh of Rockmart, who later moved to Marietta, where she graduated from Sprayberry High School in 1971. Judy and her husband, Richard, met while both were working at the local Sears Roebuck store . (“Hey, I wonder if that pretty redhead over in sporting goods would go on a date with me?) It was a 48 year date. Soon after marriage Judy obtained a nursing degree, and lovingly cared for hundreds of newborn babies in various neonatal intensive care units in the Atlanta area, and on the other end of the spectrum, later as a private duty nurse for elderly patients. In 1985, along came her daughter Laura, and Judy enthusiastically embraced her new role of mother. In school, community, and family functions Judy was a constant presence. There were the innumerable mother-daughter activities: Gymboree, movement center, school projects, brownie scouts, cheerleading, and dance competitions , (punctuated by various father-daughter outings), all executed to perfection, and beyond, by Judy. Whatever the cause, issue or event, she threw herself into it 110%…a loyal confidant and supporter from start to finish. With a soft spot in her heart for animals, if it walked, crawled, hopped, or flew in Judy’s or Laura’s direction it was cared for, nurtured , and often became a new family pet. Judy never met a stranger. By the time she got through the grocery store checkout line she had swapped potato recipes with 3 new friends , and knew the names of all their dogs. When she wasn’t rescuing stray animals, she enjoyed filling the house with an incredible array of music from her piano, which she played almost exclusively by ear, or toting her camera gear around, learning the art of photography from her only, but favorite, son-in-law Daniel. In 2021, along came a new interest in the person of her first grandchild, Noah Barnett, who she adored, doted on and simply could not get enough of. Judy was strong in her faith and made her devotional studies a consistent priority in her daily life. She shared her love of God constantly by sending sermons, Bible notes and scripture to her loved ones on a weekly basis. If we can all learn something from Judy’s life, it is selflessness and devotion to others. She always put everyone before herself. Her survivors include, her husband Richard W. Calhoun; daughter, Laura Calhoun Barnett (Dan); grandson, Noah Barnett; brother Jamey Pugh and niece Victoria Pugh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judy’s memory to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue at www.angelsrescue.org.