Judith Ann Keith, beloved Rector Emeritus at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, died peacefully on May 31, 2023, surrounded by her family in her home. The Rev. Judy, as she was known, had lived in Thomasville since 2006, when she was called to serve St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
She was born in Chicago on January 21, 1943, to Jerome and Rose Olszewski and graduated from Holy Family Academy in 1960. She subsequently graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods college in Terre Haute, Indiana, and later received a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Seabury Western Episcopal Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. As a groundbreaking female Episcopal priest, before being called to St. Thomas Church in Thomasville, she served several struggling churches, both in upstate New York and in Illinois.
She was a fine artist, music-lover, seamstress, master quilter, as well as a formidable cook. Invitations to her table at home were as treasured and coveted as her invitations to the Communion table in her churches.
She was married to Professor Nathan Keith, who survives her, on November 30th, 2012. Her other survivors include her sister, Dr. Patricia Fitz-Hugh of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; her daughters, Natalie Jones Lacey of Atlanta; Jeanine Bugni Meese, and her husband, Larry, of Zachary, Louisiana; and her son, Patrick Jones, and his wife, Judy, of St. James, New York; stepsons Dr. Douglas Keith of Offenbach, Germany, and Dr. Joshua Keith of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Rachel Jones, PJ Jones, Addison Jones, Tad Jones, Aaron Meese, Keaton Meese, Brady Lacey, and Mary Frances Lacey; and many nieces and nephews. Her elder son, Michael Jones, preceded her in death in 2011.
After her retirement from St. Thomas Church in 2014, she continued to serve churches in the Diocese of Georgia in Hawkinsville and Bainbridge, and in the Diocese of Florida at St. John’s Church, Tallahassee. Her legacy as priest, pastor, counselor, conciliator, and friend to so many people in her church and community will endure for many years to come.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 5th, 2023, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Thomasville.
Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 216 West Remington Avenue, Thomasville, Georgia 31792.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Ann Keith, please visit our flower store.
She was born in Chicago on January 21, 1943, to Jerome and Rose Olszewski and graduated from Holy Family Academy in 1960. She subsequently graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods college in Terre Haute, Indiana, and later received a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Seabury Western Episcopal Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. As a groundbreaking female Episcopal priest, before being called to St. Thomas Church in Thomasville, she served several struggling churches, both in upstate New York and in Illinois.
She was a fine artist, music-lover, seamstress, master quilter, as well as a formidable cook. Invitations to her table at home were as treasured and coveted as her invitations to the Communion table in her churches.
She was married to Professor Nathan Keith, who survives her, on November 30th, 2012. Her other survivors include her sister, Dr. Patricia Fitz-Hugh of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; her daughters, Natalie Jones Lacey of Atlanta; Jeanine Bugni Meese, and her husband, Larry, of Zachary, Louisiana; and her son, Patrick Jones, and his wife, Judy, of St. James, New York; stepsons Dr. Douglas Keith of Offenbach, Germany, and Dr. Joshua Keith of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Rachel Jones, PJ Jones, Addison Jones, Tad Jones, Aaron Meese, Keaton Meese, Brady Lacey, and Mary Frances Lacey; and many nieces and nephews. Her elder son, Michael Jones, preceded her in death in 2011.
After her retirement from St. Thomas Church in 2014, she continued to serve churches in the Diocese of Georgia in Hawkinsville and Bainbridge, and in the Diocese of Florida at St. John’s Church, Tallahassee. Her legacy as priest, pastor, counselor, conciliator, and friend to so many people in her church and community will endure for many years to come.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 5th, 2023, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Thomasville.
Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 216 West Remington Avenue, Thomasville, Georgia 31792.
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