COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Close friends and family of former city councilor Judy Thomas confirmed with WRBL she has died at an Emory Hospital in Atlanta.
She was 79.
Thomas was first elected to the Columbus, Georgia City Council in 2010. Thomas resigned from the council in March of this year, citing health concerns.
Thomas' younger brother, David Williams, helped keep her involved in Council and civic activities when her health began to fail five years ago and she could no longer drive.
"She would do anything for anybody," Williams said. "Her family was very important. Everybody called her Aunt Judy because she was their favorite aunt. She relished that title. And there were a lot of folks who not even related to us who called her Aunt Judy. She loved that."
Mayor Skip Henderson called Thomas’ passing a loss for her family and the entire community.
"Judy was always one of those people who looked to help and didn’t mind getting elbow deep into a situation to make it better," Henderson said.
A teacher by trade, Thomas was careful when considering public business.
“She read everything,” the mayor said. “She was meticulous. She knew everything she could know about something before she voted on it. You could argue with how she voted, but never why.”
Thomas has served as the District 9 at-large councilor since then, winning re-election in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Prior to her election to council she served as Chief of Staff for Mayor Jim Wetherington.
In 2006, after retuning to her hometown from California, Thomas was a key volunteer in Wetherington’s mayoral campaign.
One of her closest friends and confidants was Pastor Jimmy Elder of First Baptist Church.
“We have lost a heart of love, voice of compassion and reason, and a true public servant in the death of my dear friend, Judy Thomas,” Elder said. “We are incredibly blessed to have had her as a part of leadership in this community, and I have been wonderfully blessed to enjoy friendship with her through these years. Judy‘s influence will continue in this community as it inspires the hearts of so many of us who always want the best for the citizens of Columbus and Muscogee County. May God bless Judy’s family and the memory of this good lady.”
Thomas collected friends easily. One of those friends was WRBL co-anchor Phil Scoggins.
“Judy and I were tablemates at the Rotary Club of Columbus for many years,” Scoggins said. “She brightened my day each Wednesday when I saw here. Columbus has lost a dedicated servant and leader.”
John Shinkle was a close friend. Last month, when Thomas resigned from the council, it was Shinkle who read her resignation letter at the meeting. Shinkle credits former Mayor Jim Wetherington, whom Thomas worked for as chief of staff, with bringing her into the city government.
“Judy loved this community, and she loved Mayor Wetherington,” Shinkle said. “It was as much him getting her involved. And once she was involved, she really enjoyed going to bat for our community.”
Shinkle said she was straightforward and honest, which is what made her effective.
“She was not afraid to tell the people the truth,” Shinkle said. “She would sprinkle it with a few Judy words just to get your attention.”
Last January, she was a critical vote in allowing the city to issue $50 million in bonds to renovate Golden Park and bring the Atlanta Braves Double-A team to Columbus. It passed 6-4 with Thomas and late Councilor Pops Barnes voting for it. Barnes died a few months after the vote.
“I don’t know that the issue with Judy was the $50 million,” Shinkle said. “I know that she felt that baseball and riverfront development were good for the community. Her biggest issue was not having a public vote on the bonds the city would be responsible for. But in the end, she felt it was best for the community, and she voted her conscience and what she thought would move the community forward.” ]
Thomas was a graduate of Jordan High School and the Woman's College of Georgia. She taught at Bibb Elementary School before going to work for the Georgia Teacher's Association, then the California Teacher's Association.
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