Judy Lee Laster Short passed away on May 7, 2025, in a local hospital following a brief illness. At the time of her passing, Judy was just two weeks away from her 86th birthday in what was always a full and very active life filled with love for family and friends. Judy’s outgoing and caring personality allowed her to make a long list of lifelong friends. In fact, Judy stayed in contact until her passing with many of her friends whom she met in her earliest childhood days.
A proud member of the Chattanooga High School Class of 1957, Judy enjoyed gathering with her classmates from those days as often as possible. She attended Carson Newman College, where she was a football cheerleader and was elected as Homecoming Queen at the school.
Judy held a lifelong love for the outdoors, always finding time for gardening and working in her yard. Over her lifetime, she enjoyed many outdoor sports, including water skiing, bicycling, running, snow skiing, sculling and canoeing. Judy delighted in being a member of the East Ridge Cloggers and loved to perform on stage with the group, especially at events that benefited others.
A strong faith and a commitment to giving back to her community remained a constant focus for Judy throughout her life. A member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church dating back to its days as a mission church until its closure last year, Judy devoted her time to her church community in countless ways. During her nearly 60 years at St. Thaddeus, Judy served in many capacities including in refugee resettlement and as a vestry member, and she valued the time she was able to work on the gardens and grounds at the church. In what became the final months of her life, Judy had found a new church home at St. Peter’s Episcopal, and she was looking forward to being involved with the crafting group and gardening.
Judy’s love and commitment for giving back to others and helping her community went beyond her efforts at church. Whether it was preparing baked treats or crocheting hats for children undergoing cancer treatment, blankets for babies and prayer shawls for friends and family, Judy’s dedication to helping people by offering her time and talents in the service of others always shined throughout her lifetime.
A loving and dedicated mother to her daughter, Jennifer, and to her son, Tony, Judy was also a bright presence in the jobs she held throughout her working career. Visitors to the Manker Patten Pro Shop could always find a welcoming greeting and a friendly ear. Judy became a beloved member of the UT-Chattanooga Athletic Department, working until her retirement as an administrative assistant in the area of academic coaching. Judy valued the time she was able to spend with the athletes and coaches at UTC, always checking in on their families and friends.
Judy cherished every day she was able to spend with her husband, Jim, who was the love of her life. Judy and Jim spent countless hours outdoors, including many trips to the Chickamauga Lake where they enjoyed time fishing and canoeing. The lake was also a favorite spot to bring her grandchildren. Judy took a special joy in teaching her grandchildren, Annalee and Ryan, how to fish. She also loved to take trips to the beach, where she would dedicate significant time to hunting for seashells.
While she was in the hospital and sensing that her sudden illness could be taking a fateful turn, Judy reached out to text a close friend. She told the friend, “Family and church have been my life. I'll never make any history books, but I loved my family with every breath of my life.”
Judy was preceded in death by her father, Anstie Davis Laster, mother, Miriam Lee Warlick Laster, and brother, Anstie Warlick “Butch” Laster.
She is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Leon Short; daughter, Jennifer Lee Hill Thompson (Greg); son, Paul Anthony “Tony” Hill; stepdaughters, Jamie Willett (Philip) and Amanda Lytle (Drew); brother, Kenny Laster (Carla); grandchildren, Ryan Thompson, Annalee Thompson, Callie Willett, Ava Willett, Lila Willett, Audrey Lytle and Caroline Lytle; great-granddaughter, Penelope; several dear cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.
Judy’s family and friends will celebrate her life with a memorial service on May 15 at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Drew Bunting officiating. Following the service, the family will hold a visitation reception at the church until 7:30 p.m.
Final arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home in East Brainerd. Interment will be at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family honors her request that donations be made in Judy’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at StJude.org or to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.