Judy Sims Berrey, beloved wife, sister, mother, "Nana," dear friend, gardener, crocheter, avid reader and card player, and rescue dog lover, passed away at home on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Born January 23, 1944, in Georgiana, Alabama, to Hilton Thomas Sims and Bessie Lucille (Gavin) Sims, Judy's life was defined by family and friendships from Alabama's beaches to the mountains of Georgia. She graduated from Mobile High School in 1962.

Her love story began when Judy's brother, Jerry, sent a fellow Navy man to say hello to his little sister in Mobile — a dashing young man named Paul LaRue Berrey, Jr. They married July 11, 1964 and built a marriage that lasted nearly 60 years, until Paul's death in 2023.

Together, they built their Georgia homes in Hapeville, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Woodstock and Ellijay. And in every kitchen Judy was busy baking buttermilk biscuits, lady peas and cornbread, blackberry cobbler, or her famous "love cookies." She was happiest when her house was full, especially when children and grandchildren were all home for the holidays.

Judy and Paul raised three children, Michelle, Steven and Scott, mostly in the woods of Lovejoy where they were surrounded by bike trails, a vegetable garden, summers spent barefoot on bikes or horses, and lessons on independence and self-reliance.

Judy spent her professional years as an executive assistant, bringing to her work the same organization, intelligence and determination she brought to homemaking. But she always considered her greatest vocation to be raising her children.

There was almost always a crochet hook and yarn in her hands, and a rescued Shihtzu beside her. Toby, Lucy, Oreo, and Lincoln were cuddled and overfed, but certainly well-loved.

Flowers and vegetables consumed Judy's summers and falls, and she kept Paul busy planting her latest nursery finds in her garden in Ellijay after the deer somehow made in through the fences.

In retirement, Judy and Paul traveled together, from the beaches of Biloxi to the coast of Washington, from the British Isles to Italy, and throughout the Southeast to spend time with family & friends.

Judy's greatest joy in her later years was her four grandchildren: Elena, Benjamin, Gabriella and Paul, who knew her as Nana. She treasured them beyond measure.

Judy is survived by her three children, Miriam Michelle Berrey (Richard Smith), Steven Paul Berrey (Blanca Ruiz Berrey) and David Scott Berrey; four grandchildren, Elena Marie Womble, Benjamin Cole Womble, Gabriella Lee Berrey and Paul Reagan Berrey; her dear brother Gerald Abner ("Jerry") Sims (Yoko Sims) and a lifetime of family, friends, stories, gardens, crocheted blankets, dogs and memories that will live on.

Services will be held at 4p (visitation beginning at 3p) on Wednesday, August 19, at Lakeside Funeral Home, 121 Claremore Drive, Woodstock, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Judy's favorite charities, Noah's Ark or Act2Pups in Woodstock or to your local dog rescue organization