Judy Mackey

Judy Ann Mackey of Mineral Bluff, Georgia passed away peacefully on September 15, 2022, surrounded by her family. Judy was born in 1945 in Rome, Georgia. She grew up in Cave Spring, Jonesboro, and Forest Park, Georgia. During high school, Judy discovered her love of basketball and played while in Cave Spring and Forest Park. In 1963, Judy married Jimmy Ragan and they had three children, Elizabeth, Jimmy, and Tyrus.

She is survived by her loving sisters: Joan Bolles (Craig) of Newnan, Georgia and Jo Yokley of Roseville, Michigan, her stepbrother Gary Rhineheart (Doni) of Atlanta, along with her devoted sons: Jim Ragan of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Tyrus Ragan of Brookhaven, Georgia. Judy had numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews whom she loved and adored.

Throughout her life, Judy was a homemaker and was proud to be a mother. She met and married her husband Ben Mackey of 42 years in 1979 and they lived in Stone Mountain. Judy continued to discover new passions, one of which was tennis. She played on several ALTA leagues. Also, she took up quilting and started a wildflower garden. After Judy and Ben moved to Millsboro, Delaware, she pursued her love wildflowers and became involved in doll collecting and the embroidery guild.

In 2000, Judy and Ben moved back home to Georgia and settled near her family in Sharpsburg. After spending her younger years loving music, she finally pursued her true passion of singing. Judy was known as “Patsy” to many because of her likeness to Patsy Cline when she performed. For the next twenty years, Judy enjoyed performing for churches, senior groups, friends, and of course family. Judy was still sharing her gift of singing when she went in the hospital before her passing, singing for the hospital staff.

The last years of both Judy and Ben’s lives were spent at their beloved cabin in Mineral Bluff, near Blue Ridge, Georgia. Judy always wanted to live in a cabin in the mountains and she was blessed to find the perfect one within a loving community. Her final days were shared with her family and friends at her cabin.

Judy was proceeded in death by her father Robert Callahan, grandson Matthew Orren Ragan, daughter Elizabeth Godwin, grandmother Vennie Callahan, mother Hattie Rhineheart, brother Bobby Callahan, and her husband Ben Mackey.

Visitation for Judy will be held at Cochran Funeral Home in Blue Ridge on September 20, 2022 at 10am followed by a Celebration of Life service in the chapel at 11am. A graveside and burial service will follow the same day at Lawnwood Memorial Park in Covington, Georgia at 4pm, where she will be laid to rest beside her daughter, Elizabeth.

Judy requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church, Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Cochran Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Judy Mackey; you may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.