Judith Ann Cassell, 84, died on July 30 after a brief battle with cancer.
Judy was born to Marge and Frank Faulkner in Knoxville, Tennessee, the oldest of three children. She enjoyed an active childhood filled with horseback riding, swimming, and water skiing. Her love of the water continued in high school where she competed on the swim team.
After graduation from Central High School in 1957, Judy married Sam Cooper and the couple had two daughters. Following her divorce, she married Winfred Cassell, a former classmate at Inskip Elementary where as kids, the two would regularly trade comic books. Judy and her daughters moved with Winfred to the greater Atlanta area in 1969.
In Atlanta, Judy worked as a clerical assistant for two car dealerships before joining the retailer T.J. Maxx. She helped open the very first T.J. Maxx store in the region, putting up shelves and preparing merchandise for opening day. She retired from the retailer in 2002 as secretary of the greater Atlanta T.J. Maxx district.
Married nearly 54 years, Judy and Winfred enjoyed spending time together on the beaches of the Florida panhandle where they would snorkel for treasures, and also in their beloved Smoky Mountains with Townsend being a favorite spot. She loved crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, card games, and a good slow-cooker recipe. She showed remarkable patience during many chaotic summers when the blended family came together, and was a fun, up-for-anything grandmother anytime her grandchildren visited.
Judy is survived by her husband, Winfred Cassell and her daughters Tracy (Michael) McClure and DeeAnna (Joe) Barnhill; stepchildren Carol Cassell, Nancy Fisk, Robert Cassell, and Ben Cassell; brothers Frank Faulkner and Dan Faulkner; granddaughters Christina (Michael) Allen, Melissa (Ron) Hudson, Michelle McClure, Samantha Floyd, and grandson Zachary Floyd. She also leaves behind great grandsons Devin Allen, Ryan Allen, Sean Allen, Ian Hudson, and great granddaughters Ella Hudson, Hayden Floyd, and Katelynne Floyd.
In keeping with Judy’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.
