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Judith Ann Jones Keith, a faithful priest of the Diocese of Georgia, 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, and upon her retirement was named Rector Emeritus.
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 married to Professor Nathan Keith, who survives her, on November 30th, 2012. 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.
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.
Memorial services are being planned for later in the summer.
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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