Judy Hicks Nelson

Judy Hicks Nelson, 77, a longtime resident of both Highland Home and Montgomery, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Luverne Health & Rehabilitation on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. A graveside service for Judy will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, March 7th, in Helicon Cemetery with Brothers Matt Hall and Bobby Gardner officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Family and friends will meet in the cemetery at the service time.

Judy dedicated her life to taking care of schoolchildren and ensuring they got to and from school as safely as possible. Whether it was as a crossing guard for the school system in Montgomery or driving the bus for Highland Home for over 25 years, she ensured that each and every one of them arrived at their intended destination under her protective care. Along the way, she became famous, and well-loved, for her no-nonsense demeanor under the weight of her responsibility that she took as seriously as it should be, as well as her obvious devotion to her students. Many remember the lines they were required to write for disrupting her bus, but they learned better self-control and how dangerous distractions on the road can be for drivers. No doubt many of them turned out to be far more responsible adults in part due to her influence.

Judy was also a devoted Christian who loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all of her heart. In her younger days, she happily spent whatever free time she had indulging her more creative side through various arts and crafts. More than anything, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family. While she always took pride in being remembered by her hundreds of schoolchildren as "Miss Judy," there was no name she treasured like she did "Nana." You love your children with all of your heart, but there is no one as special to you as those grandbabies! Judy will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her, but they know she has happily reunited with those loved ones who went on before her in the arms of her loving Savior.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Nelson; their children, Johnny Nelson and Debbie Shepherd; her parents, James Obie & Sadie Carolyn Clanton Hicks; and brothers, Jim Hicks and Johnny Hicks. She is survived by her children, GiGi (Bob) Gardner and Pete (Ginger) Nelson; grandchildren, Brittney (Andy) Rogde, Bobby (Megan) Gardner, Brett Gardner, Payton Nelson, Erin Nelson, Marley Nelson, Krystal Nelson, Keisha Nelson, and John Charles (Courtney) Nelson; eleven beloved great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Mason; brother-in-law, Harold (Cheryl) Nelson; sister-in-law, Nellie Baggett; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.