March 19, 2021
Judith Kay James passed away peacefully on February 26th at her home with her family at her side.
Born December 12, 1950 in St Louis, Missouri to the late Robert and Geraldine Jostrand, Judy is survived by her daughter, Shawnda James Caulfield, her son-in-law, Daniel Caulfield Jr, and her beloved granddaughter, Ava Caulfield. Ms. Judy, as she was known by most, was the owner/operator of James Dance Center in Central Florida for 35 years. After embarking on a successful performing career of her own, it was when she opened her studio that she was able to combine her two great loves; dance and working with children. She guided numerous generations of children through their youth by providing them with a safe place to grow both artistically and emotionally in a nurturing environment that became like a second home to the dancers. Many of her students went on to successful performing careers with major dance companies, touring shows, and overseas companies, and just as many others thrive in fields as diverse as the medical, publishing and teaching worlds to name just a few.
Ms. Judy was beyond proud of all of her students and kept in touch with many of them even after retiring and moving to middle Tennessee 10 years ago. Upon her move to Smithville, Judy immediately became involved in her local community and volunteered her time for numerous causes close to her heart. She was passionate about her teaching for Community Bible Study in Cookeville and for the homeless outreach and food pantry her church, Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian, organized. In addition to all of this, Judy was always unfailingly available to her family, often picking up and flying wherever her daughter was working to watch her granddaughter with whom she developed an incredible bond. Judy was the embodiment of selflessness and compassion and lived her life supporting and loving her family, her dancers, her friends, and anyone who needed it to the absolute utmost of her ability. Her legacy will live on through those family and friends and all those whose lives she impacted in so many ways.
A service celebrating her life will be held March 21, 2021 at 2pm at Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 201 S. College St. Smithville, TN 37166. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Compassion International, two charities whose mission of helping children in need she wholeheartedly supported.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.