Judith "JUDY" Malusa

This is the story of a beautiful person, Judith A. Malusa

Judith Ann Malusa affectionately known as “Judy” was born July 1,1948 to Hilburn Howard Dunham and Martha Lolieta Spillers in Macon, GA. Judy was the youngest of three girls, her sisters were Pat and Kay. She graduated from McEvoy High in 1966.  Judy was the first woman hired in Macon, Ga for a pest control company.

In the late 1960's, from her porch she could hear a band playing, so she went to speak to them. She met these guys known as the Allman Joys who would later be known as the Allman Brothers, Dwayne and Gregg Allman. She started working at Capricorn Records, helping anywhere she could. She got to meet people like Otis Redding, BB King, Joe Cocker, and Cher. Cher married Gregg Allman who was already Judy’s friend and neighbor. Judy and Cher became good friends and Judy would watch after Gregg's momma and drive her around in the "Midnight Rider" car. Judy was over the top to see Cher perform in 2019 before Covid. Oh! Did I mention Judy was at Woodstock?! She loved all kinds of music.

She was a lifetime member of SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) from November 1986, which her family grew. Her service earned her a Pelican in 1996. Judy was made Queen by the valiant fight for her honor by his Majesty, Duke Ryan II and now Judy will be a forever Rose, Countess Gillian Anna di Lando.

Judy was co-owner of a Japanese restaurant in the downtown Macon area. One day Mr. Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha came into her restaurant, and they quickly became friends. She did not know who he was, the owner of YKK (his initials) that makes the best zipper in the world. They spent many evenings talking at the restaurant after it closed. Judy became a manager for his factory in Macon. We joked about her making zippers for years! Judy worked at many bars and cooked for many restaurants.

After 9-11, Judy met Tina (now her wife) online and moved to NY. She started working at the NY State Fairgrounds at Gate 2, which is where all the BIG people come through. She got to meet the Mayor, Governor, and it just so happens that was the year Bill and Hilary Clinton came. If you didn't have your tag to park, you had Ms. Judy to deal with.

After a short bit, Tina's job with Pepsi gave them a chance to transfer to North Carolina in 2003. Judy got a job in security for Pepsi at the University Corporate Center in Winston Salem, NC. Judy then met people over at Arbor Acres retirement community and the residents fell in love with her. They knew they were safe if she was at the post because you didn't get through the gate unless you passed Ms. Judy’s keen eye. She knew every one of the residents and their families by name. Judy retired from working at Arbor Acres after 14+ years of service.

While she was young, Judy traveled around the world. Her last two favorite places were Mount Pilot, NC, where we got married and Fairy Stone State Park, VA, where we rented Cabin 7.

At Fairy Stone, we had a lot of Dog park family memories there. The memory of Cabin 7, Judy and I got up on a Sunday morning and on one side of the campground we heard singing. The song "How Great Thou Art” was just bouncing back off the lake and sounded so beautiful! It was a very touching moment for Judy and I to be with our Lord when another family praised God our Father... it gave us both goosebumps and we joined in with them.

Judy loved all kinds of sports! She would go to any kind of game and cheer them on. She loved her pets through the years from fish, turtles, birds, and dogs. She was allergic to cats, but we took care of three feral cats.

On May 30, 2022, Judy went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. She is survived by her wife, Tina Billington; and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as many, many friends. Judy lived a full life, and she never met a stranger. She will be deeply missed.

 It has been said that She always knew exactly who she was, and she didn’t pretend to be something she wasn’t.

Please sign the tribute wall for Judy. Leave a nice story and memory of her.

Please do not send flowers. Judy was not a plant person; instead, you can make a donation to the Alzheimer’s foundation in her honor.

Ms. Judy, you have touched so many people's lives, you will be missed!

Rest In Peace until we meet again,

I'll love you until the end of time,

Your one and only,

Your wife, Tina

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judith "JUDY" Malusa, please visit our floral store.