Judy Bobo Bayer

JUDY BOBO BAYER

Born May 12, 1944, to Mary Marlene Sullivan Bobo and James Alfred Bobo, both of whom preceded her in death. She passed away March 6, 2023, and is survived by her dear love, husband David Martin Bayer. Growing up in Nashville, she studied dance and attended public schools, graduating from Hillsboro High School and then Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in English.

Judy converted to Catholicism in 1989 and was for many years an active parishioner at the Cathedral of the Incarnation where she served two terms as Chairman of the Parish Council, on the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees, and on the board of the Nashville Catholic Women’s Business League. She has also been a dedicated volunteer for the Ladies of Charity. At the time of her death, she was active at St. Henry Catholic Church.

A devotee of politics and government, Judy worked in public service most of her adult life, first from 1967-1975 in Washington, D.C., where she held staff positions for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Returning to Nashville, she served in the mayoral administrations of Richard Fulton and Phil Bredesen and was on the staff of the Metro Development and Housing Agency for fifteen years. Never one to seek credit or the spotlight, Judy did the behind-the-scenes work that was essential to the success of projects, taking care of countless details with diplomacy and persuasion. She was MDHA’s representative on a revitalization committee that was the catalyst for turning around the endangered historic districts downtown. At its beginning, the Nashville Civic Design Center borrowed her from MDHA to establish credibility and to guide in working with city departments. Her skills were evident in redevelopment projects in many neighborhoods, including 12South, Germantown, and East Nashville. For the eight years of the Bredesen gubernatorial administration, she was Director of Community Relations for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Judy was an active community volunteer both before and after her retirement in 2010. She was an officer on the boards of the Nashville Women’s Breakfast Club and The DISTRICT, where she received the Spirit of The DISTRICT award in 2019. A founding board member of You Have the Power and its President in 2018, she was named a lifetime board member in 2019 in honor of her outstanding service. She also chaired a number of non-profit fund-raisers.

An only child, Judy often commented on her good fortune to have a very special group of friends who were like family. She valued the time spent and relationships cultivated with the Ladies Who Lunch, tennis pals, fellow book club enthusiasts, Ladies of Charity, dog lovers, and the many friends developed through her political involvement.

A celebration of her life will take place at the St. Henry Catholic Church with Rev. Patrick J. Kibby officiating; 10:00 am Visitation and 11:00 am Services. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Father Pat Kibby Scholarship Fund at Father Ryan High School, endowed by Judy Bayer are appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mountolivet.com for the Bayer family.