Judy Edwards

Judy Edwards of Cumming, Georgia, passed away December 13th at the age of 64, after a short illness. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Judy entered the medical field as a Certified Paramedic. She held an Associate Degree in nursing from Sinclair University in Dayton, Ohio, a Bachelors degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida, and a Masters degree, in Health Services Administration from the University of Saint Francis. Judy was a Certified Emergency Nurse as well as holding a Certification in Homeland Security at Level V (CHS-V). She was a member of the Nursing Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau. Prior to becoming a nurse Judy was a Professional Dog Handler from 1966 1974, and in 1972 with a Smooth Coat Chihuahua she was showing, she took Best in Show at Westminster.

For 8 years, Judy served as the Commander for the GA-3 Disaster Medical Assistance Team under the Department of Health and Human Services, Medical Response Branch. She participated in numerous federal deployments including responses to the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. She also served as a consultant to the British governments to evaluate emergency services in the British Island of Tortula.

Judy joined the Hospital Corporation of American (HCA) in 1988, working as the Assistant Director in the Emergency Department at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center in Ft. Myers, Florida. In December of 1993 she moved to Atlanta to become the Director of Emergency Services at Emory Dunwoody Medical Center and in the following years also became the Director of Critical Care and Medical Surgical Services. In May of 2003 she assumed the role of Corporate Director of Emergency Preparedness, for which she was responsible for emergency preparedness and emergency operations planning for 190 acute care facilities and 150 Ambulatory Surgery Center. In 2003 Judy joined First Water Systems as Business Development Director for Healthcare.

As distinguished of a career that she had, Judy was greatly loved as a daughter, sister, mother, wife and grandmother. Preceded in death by her parents Jacob Thomas Smith and Minnie Ethel Carpenter Smith, Judy left behind her husband of 25 years Bob Edwards of Cumming, Georgia; whom she met when he was her Paramedic Instructor in Dayton, Ohio, daughter Gretchen Carlson (Paul) of Clermont, Florida, Step children Todd Edwards (Kathy) of Lilburn, Georgia, Chris Edwards (Becky) of Reston, Virginia and Shelly Budak (Paul) of Dayton, Ohio. Judy will be remembered as a wonderful grandmother by Sydney Grace Carlson, Jordan & Zachary Edwards, Gavin Edwards. She also leaves loving sister, Joyce Tuxhorn (Geno) of Naples, Florida and Niece Dr. Keri Mason of Pooler, Georgia.

In lieu of Flowers the family has requested that donations be made for the GA-3 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Donations need to be payable to the World Water Relief, 3750 Crestwood Place, Cumming, Georgia 30041.

A Celebration of Life & visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, December 16 from 3:00 PM 5:00 PM at Byars Funeral Home. Following this, a Memorial service will be held at Grace Chapel, Cumming, GA at 5:30 PM.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.forsythnews.com or www.byarsfuneralhome.com.

Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cumming, GA will be in charge of the arrangements, 678-455-5815.