The world has lost a true Southern Belle and can only be less beautiful for it. The funeral for Judy Harris (or Aunt Judy to all seventeen of us cousins in the Banks/Guillebeau clan) is this morning in Lincolnton, Georgia. As I write this many of the family are arriving for the service. There will be stories told with laughter and tears for sure.
Aunt Judy spent her entire life in the Lincolnton area (about 40 miles north of Augusta, GA). She owned Judy’s Salon for as long as I can remember, and has probably done the hair of every person in the county at one time or another. I’m sure there will be standing room only for her farewell.
My memories of her are all full of beauty and grace. She was the most elegant, poised woman I’ve ever known. She always arrived put together, with perfect hair and makeup, and you got the feeling that she just woke up that way (although all of us women know that isn’t true). She had a sweet, soft voice with a serious southern accent that was just marvelous.
The Guillebeau/Banks clan are spread all over the map now. We don’t see each other often, and like most large families, keep up through FaceBook. I’m thankful that Aunt MaryLou Guillebeau put together a family reunion this past July. Most of us were there, and it was nice to see folks I haven’t in years, including Aunt Judy. As beautiful as ever and the baby of her crowd, no one could have foreseen that it would be the last time.
She will surely be missed, but heaven has gained a beautiful angel!