Judi Huffman Fulbright

Judith Huffman Fulbright, adored mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by both her parents, Elmer and Bernadette Huffman; her brother, Timothy Huffman; and her husband of 57 years, James Fulbright.

Judith, known as Judi, was born near Lisle, Illinois on February 8, 1946 to Bernadette and Elmer Huffman. Judi and her two younger brothers grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. Judi would go on to attend Lenoir Rhyne University. She met her husband, Jim, and married in April 1965. The couple moved for a short time to Raleigh, NC so Jim could complete his engineering degree at NCSU. Then later moved to High Point, North Carolina which they called home for well over thirty-five years. A short drive away from home, Judi earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Interior Design. Shortly after earning her Master’s degree, Jim and Judi welcomed their only child, Jillian, into their family in 1978.

Judi worked for the State of North Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for 21 years; she was a research specialist in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. After leaving the State of North Carolina, she went on to work for Reed Business Information as a research specialist for eleven years.

Outside of work, Judi was heavily involved in the life of her daughter, Jillian. She led a Girl Scout troop for ten years that took her on numerous adventures that included hiking the Appalachian Trail, camping in a storm that produced a tornado, cave spelunking, and whitewater rafting. Judi enjoyed the friendships and connections that she made through the local Girl Scout Council; receiving some of the highest awards for service and leadership. She continued to serve the Girl Scouts even after Jillian graduated high school.

In February of 2013, Judi and her husband Jim relocated to Tallahassee, Florida to be closer to their daughter’s family, which included her first grandson, Eli, born in October 2012. She became a loving and adored Nana, known to spoil Eli and cover him with love. In July 2016, her second grandson, Silas was born. Nana’s heart for her grandsons was tremendous. She enjoyed every second of their lives; often reading to them while they sat on her lap or cooking with them in the kitchen. She was known to supply the boys with their favorite treat of baked brownies when she could. She would pick Eli and Silas up from school on some afternoons and take them to Dairy Queen for ice cream; knowingly spoiling their dinner.

Family and friends will remember Judi for her bubbly, warm personality. She was an avid reader and sought out friends for book clubs. She would make friends almost anywhere and often tell stories about her daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. She loved to lunch and eat outside on bright, sunny days.

Judi is survived by her daughter, Jillian Bosarge (Brett) of Tallahassee, FL; her grandsons, Eli (12) and Silas (8) Bosarge; her brother and sister-in-law, Lanny and Terry Huffman of Hendersonville, TN; niece, Lindsey (Kevin) Castleman of Brentwood, TN; nephew, Mitch (Leslie) Huffman of Hendersonville, TN.

A celebration of Judi’s life will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 5pm; Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL.