Judith N. Race

Judith Carroll Norford Race, 89, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at AVIVA Baldwin Park in Staunton where she lived for the past two years.

She was born on September 25, 1935, in Charlottesville, VA, to the late Joseph Cary Norford and Margaret Louise Armstrong Ball.

Judy grew up in Washington DC and Charlottesville, VA. She loved riding horses on her Dad’s farm as a teenager. She received a Nursing degree from the University of Virginia in 1956 and married Jay Norman Race, her late husband, in 1957 at the Chapel at UVA. Judy moved to several Army bases with Jay during their first two years of marriage and then returned to Charlottesville and had her son, Stephen Jay Race, in 1958. In 1959, they moved to Staunton, VA and had their late daughter, Patricia (Patty) Carroll Race Piazza. Judy and Jay lived in Hillcrest raising both children. Judy worked as an ER nurse at King’s Daughters' Hospital and then for the American Red Cross teaching mother and baby care to thousands of Augusta County Middle schoolers. She loved the excitement and challenge of nursing and helping people with her soft touch, kindness, big smile, and lots of hugs.

In 1986, Judy and Jay moved to New Hope, VA where Judy started a dog kennel, Devon Labradors. She dedicated the next twenty-five years to furthering the Labrador Retriever breed and making hundreds of families happy by placing puppies. Sitting in a puppy pen with her grandchildren smiling and laughing is a fond memory. Judy was actively involved in the Skyline Kennel Club, holding various positions and coordinating the club’s dog shows for many years at Augusta Expo. Additionally, she served on the Advisory Board for the Blue Ridge Community College Veterinarian Technician Program. 

Judy loved nature. She enjoyed walking in the woods, feeding and caring for any animal she came across, and gardening and bringing plants back to life. She explored every aspect of the sewing world making cloths, blankets, quilts, pillows, and pictures; many given as gifts to friends and family. She loved cooking and sharing recipes with friends and family. Above all, she cherished her family and friends. Everyone was always greeted with a smile and a hug.

Judy was a past member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton and she loved the organ music, especially the Easter Sunday service and the joyous sounds from the organ and choir. She enjoyed all kinds of music and let the music move her when she listened.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Jay Race, and his wife, Sharon, of Mt. Holly, NC; her grandchildren, Abbey Dively and her husband, Brian, of Alexandria, VA, Lori Milam and her husband, Nathan, of Charlotte, NC, and Daniel Wilmot and his wife, Kristi, of Glen Allen, VA; and her great-grandchildren, Noah Milam, Emerson Milam, Lucy Wilmot, and Miles Dively.

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jay Norman Race; her daughter, Patricia Carroll Race Piazza; and her granddaughter, Kendall Carroll Wilmot.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at AVIVA Baldwin Park for there compassionate care for Judy in her last two years of life and to Legacy Hospice for their care in the last month.