‘She loved the city.’ Former Columbus Councilor Judy Thomas dies
Former Columbus Councilor Judy Thomas has died.
Family friend John Shinkle confirmed the news to the Ledger-Enquirer.
“She loved the city,” he said.
Thomas, 79, died Saturday at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where she was being treated for a blood infection, Shinkle said.
The funeral arrangements to honor Thomas, listed on the McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory website, are:
- Visitation on May 6, from 5-8 p.m., at McMullen, 3874 Gentian Blvd.
- Celebration of life May 8, from 11 a.m. to noon, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1104 Second Ave.
- Burial on May 8, from 12:30 -1:30 p.m., at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road.
Her obituary is pending.
Advocate for public safety
As the executive assistant to then-Mayor Jim Wetherington (2007-11), who died in January, Thomas is credited with being among the leaders who convinced Muscogee County voters to approve the 2008 referendum for a 1% local option sales tax that funded 100 new police officer positions, increasing the size of the force by 26%. The tax still is generating revenue for public safety salary supplements.
Thomas was the daughter of a 36-year fireman, Bill Williams, who retired as the city’s deputy fire chief.
Her “love for first responders never left her,” Shinkle said.
“I mean, she worked for all the citizens of Columbus but in particular the police and firemen,” he said.
During her four terms (2011-25) serving in the District 9 citywide seat on Columbus Council, she had a reputation for being forthright.
“No one was more honest, more direct, than Judy,” Shinkle said. “You never had to wonder what she was thinking. She had a filter, but she chose when and where to put it on.”
Resignation from Columbus Council
Thomas resigned from the council in March, citing her failing health as the reason.
“I realize that the citizens of this great community deserve a councilor who can offer the full measure of engagement and leadership,” Thomas said in the letter Shinkle read aloud during the March 11 council meeting. “I feel my current medical conditions prohibit me from effectively serving the citizens of Columbus, GA, as a councilor-at-large at this time.”
In a controversial 6-3 vote, the council appointed former city council and mayoral candidate John Anker to fill the remainder of Thomas’ term until the May 2026 special election.
Thomas also was treated for a heart condition in 2011.
“The city is going to miss her,” Shinkle said. “She left her mark, and we all wish she had more marks to leave.”
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Mayor Skip Henderson called Thomas “a good friend” and described her as striking the fine balance between sweet and strong.
“She was very compassionate,” he told the Ledger-Enquirer, “but she could be really tough too.”
Henderson laughed when he said Thomas’ age was “a well-protected secret,” then added, “I always thought of Judy as kind of timeless. Even though we knew she was struggling with her health, there’s still a shock today.”
Teacher and education supporter
Thomas grew up in Columbus. She graduated in 1964 from Jordan Vocational High School, which she continued to support. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Georgia College, now called Georgia College and State University.
She taught fifth grade and sixth grade at Bibb Elementary School before working for the Georgia Association of Educators and the California Teachers Association.
Thomas served on numerous community boards, including the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, the Open Door Community House and the Columbus State University Center for Quality Teaching and Learning.
This story was originally published April 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM.
