Judith "Judye" Ann Hollingsworth

It is with a great sense of loss that I announce the peaceful passing of Judith “Judye” Sauls Hollingsworth on October 7, 2024 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease–

she was 82.

Judye was “Grandmom” to me. You may know her as music teacher, church member, South Knoxville neighbor or friend–she was all of those things and more. To my older brother Joel and me, she was craft-maker, piano teacher and Christmas connoisseur. Grandmom and Granddad’s house was the fun house growing up. We explored the shed behind their house and walked the train tracks in search of rocks–she was up for all of it.

She retired from teaching music at several elementary schools across Knoxville. From Park Lowry to Sequoyah Hills, Giffin to Flenniken, Westview, Christenberry and Rocky Hill - she shared the joy of music and cared for kids. Her home was always full of music, and while I didn’t make it very far in piano lessons, I’ll never forget the hours spent in her living room tinkering on the piano or dancing to the built-in songs on the electronic keyboard.

Christmases stand out more than anything else–she was known for leaving her tree up year-round. It was tradition to watch an old VHS of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever no matter how bad the tape deteriorated over the years. She never missed a Living Christmas Tree or Fantasy of Trees. Many of the ornaments we made together still hang on my parent’s Christmas tree.

Grandmom loved her family, both by blood and by choice. I tend to think the latter says more about a person. She had a lot of chosen family and close friends that she loved as if they were her own. Family was a choice, and she chose us. I’ll never forget being in the room with her when Granddad passed. Her love for him was so obvious in that moment, it marked me. She was truly his partner in life.

But more than anything, she spent so many of her days in the church, and she took us with her. She was either playing the organ, serving in Sunday school or singing in the choir. And today Grandmom is in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I imagine she’s worshiping Him through music like she always has. So we don’t grieve as people without hope, but through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we know we will be together again.

She was a loving wife and caregiver to her late husband Gerald Hollingsworth. She leaves behind her stepsons Russ (Paula) Hollingsworth and Stuart; grandchildren Joel (Brittney) Hollingsworth and Kaley Hollingsworth (Logan Malenovsky); her sister Betty (Dan) McKenzie; several nieces, nephews, and cousins who will sadly miss her.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 13, 2024, between 2pm-3pm at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy with a Memorial Service to follow at 3pm officiated by Rev. Joe Chandler. We also invite you to consider donating to Alzheimer’s Tennessee in her honor and memory - 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Hollingsworth family at www.berryfuneralhome.com