Judith Speight Redden, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished daughter of Dickson County, went home to be with her savior on March 5, 2026, at the age of 80. Born in Nashville, Tennessee on May 24, 1945, Judy was a native of Dickson County and a woman whose life was defined by deep faith, devoted service, and an abiding love for her family.
Judy was a graduate of Peabody Demonstration School and went on to earn her degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1967, where she was a proud member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. On November 24, 1968, she married the love of her life, Larry Redden, and together they built a life of purpose and generosity in the community they called home for more than fifty years.
Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A devoted member of First Baptist Church Dickson, Judy was an active and treasured participant in the Odds ‘N Ends Sunday School class, where she cultivated friendships that spanned decades. Her greatest mission — one she pursued with quiet consistency — was passing her faith on to her children and grandchildren.
Judy’s commitment to her community was extraordinary in its breadth and depth. She served as a founding board member of the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum – Hotel Halbrook State Historic Site, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, gave her time to patients and families at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, and served two terms as board chair of Horizon Medical Center. For many years she was a dedicated 4-H Adult Volunteer, shaping the lives of young people throughout Dickson County. Her service was recognized with numerous honors, including the CASA Community Service Award, the First Humanitarian Award, the Helen Rial Leadership Award, and the Friend of Education Award from DCEA. In 2024, she was named one of the Clement Museum’s Legacy honorees — a distinction that reflected a lifetime of investment in the place she loved.
Yet for all the awards and accolades, Judy herself was quick to point to what she considered her greatest achievement: being a mother to her three children and grandmother to her seven grandchildren. This love of family was the essence of who she was.
She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Larry Redden; her children, Chuck Redden (Britt), Greer Redden (Leigh), and Martha Storm; and her seven grandchildren, Emma, Walton, Mary, Lucy, Parker, Charlotte, and Samuel, who were her greatest joy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Walton Speight and Emma Leech Speight, and grandchildren, Caroline Marie Redden, Isaac James Redden and Jasper Warren Redden.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening, March 13th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Dickson on Saturday, March 14th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. service with Dr. Steve Holt officiating and Jerry Smith delivering the eulogy. A private burial with family present will follow at Roberts Cemetery in the heart of Charlotte, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum or The Community Foundation for Dickson County
Judy Redden gave generously of herself — to her church, her community, and above all, her family. Dickson County is better for her having been here.
28 Responses
I am heartbroken to hear this news. Judy was a warm , caring and kind individual who had heart for so many people and for so many projects. I met Judy at the Dickson Senior Activity Center where we exercised many times side by side. She truly was one of the most elegant ladies I ever met and I will miss her so very much.
I thank God that he brought Judy into my life. She was a genuine Christian woman who truly cared for people and looked for opportunities to serve others. Those who were privileged to know her will never forget her.
Judy. was 16 years old when I married her cousin Bubba Leech. I always admired and respected her!!
Judy was a beautiful person and wonderful friend. She was kind and was always ready to organize a solution for any need with a servants heart. She will be missed by many. My condolences to here wonderful family.
The Bateses are heartbroken as we begin the rest of our lives on the shore which is now darker but we are confident that there are reunions of Speights, Reddens, and Leaches which reflect eternal joy on the distant shore. She was a beautiful and charming friend who was always there when you needed her. She exuded class, Southern class, Dickson class. She sanctified the little Hamlet of Charlotte by her life and now returns to that mythic land she loved so in body while her spirit will linger in our hearts for all our remaining days
Judy was the most thoughtful, caring person I’ve ever known! I was blessed with her friendship & loved her like family.
She was a bright spot in the lives of all who were knew her! She created a beautiful life & an amazing family.
“BettyBelle” Peery Nicks
Greer & Martha’s 3rd grade teacher 😜
Judy will be so missed. Her and Larry were in our Sunday School class. She was such a kind and sweet lady. Always serving others and giving. Rest in peace Judy. We love you.
thank you for being there for us we gladly appreciated you and all the help you gave us tom and donna
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Until we meet again.
Judy was always ready for an opportunity to make someone’s life better. She had such a great sense of humor and we shared many laughs wherever we happened to bump into each other. Heaven certainly gained an Angel on March 5. We will miss you, Judy!
Judy was a kind and thoughtful true Southern lady. She always had a smile for everyone. Her friends will miss her. Jane Pruett Chuck, Greer, Martha-K teacher
I am so sad to lose Judy. She was one of my special friends from our childhood. Our families were woven to gather as Mr. Charlie and my dad were lifelong friends. Judy came back to Charlotte just as we were entering high school. Lots of memories in my heart. I know she will be missed and I want to leave my love to Larry and their family. I loved Judy dearly and know that she will be received in heaven with joy. My thoughts and love to you all. A true friend, Barbara Eubank Jones
B
I am deeply saddened to hear of Judy”s home going. Though I had only been with her and her family on several occasions, I shall always remember her grace and dignity. She was a child of God and is made perfect now. My heart and condolences go to the family along with my prayers for comfort.
Mrs. Redden was the epitome of compassion, leadership, and service – all wrapped up in elegance and grace. She will be greatly missed by this community.
Keeping all who knew and loved Judy close to my heart. May her memory be a blessing now and in the days to come.
My heart is so sad at this physical loss, yet praising the godliness of this beautiful lady’s eternal life. Ms Judy was so kind and friendly to me when I first moved to Dickson. I didn’t get to know her very long, but it didn’t require much time to see how she spread love everywhere she went.
My deepest sympathy and prayers to Larry and all the family. Judy was always giving herself to the Dickson community.
Judy was a special friend. She helped so many and did it with love and care. She earned her angel wings and her halo while she was on earth! We will never forget her! She was the first person we met when we visited First Baptist, invited us to Odds and Ends Sunday School and we’ve been there 35 years. Love to her family.
My heart breaks for all the Redden family. Judy and I became friends at FBCD back in the early 70’s. It didn’t matter if you knew Judy one year or fifty she was the same humble sweet caring lady to everyone she met and ready to lend a helping hand. My wife and I moved to Dickson in 1970 and my work moved us to Denver Colorado in 1982. During our time in Dickson, Judy and I helped to organize a new SS class and we called it Odds and Ends. My wife and I moved back to Dickson in 2019 and thanks to Judy and several other faithful servants I found the SS class still going strong. My wife passed away a week before Christmas in 2020 at the height of covid and most everything was shut down. I could not find anyone to preach her funeral. Well guess who came to the rescue. The one and only Person of The Century
Judy Redden. She started calling around and convinced our Children’s Ministry Pastor at FBCD to do her service. I will forever be indebted to Judy Redden and Ken Metcalf for coming to my rescue. You will be missed my sister in the Lord. Thank you for all you did for me and all the encouragement you gave me.
I will never forget Judy and the remarkable person she was. I will always remember the kindness she showed to me and my family.
My thoughts and prayers are with Larry,Chuck,Greer and Martha and all of the family at this sad time.
Judy had a great impact on my life; She had a heart of gold, showed compassion with willingness to inspire others with humility grace and kindness. I feel the loss of a very good friend that I truly love and admired.
I will never forget the first time I met Mrs. Redden and Martha at Wendy’s in Murfreesboro on our way to Girls State. Even in that brief moment, Mrs. Redden made me feel like a daughter! Her warmth, kindness and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on me. That first meeting became the beginning of years of support and friendship from their family. She raised an amazing daughter/friend, and it was clear how deeply she loved her family and those around her. My heart is with all of you. Mrs. Redden will always hold a special place in my memories.
So many great memories made with this wonderful lady and her family. She was always so kind to everyone she met and will be missed. Our hearts are hurting over this loss, but comfort comes from the opportunity God blessed us with in knowing Judy.
We have lost a true star in our community. We have enjoyed our several associations with her and her wonderful example of compassion, leadership, and genuine concern for others. She will be missed.
Dale & Diane Whitfield
We have knew Judy since the late 70’s at which time we were in the Odd’s & End’s Sunday School Class with her. Judy was a “shinning star” and always has had a true servants heart. I always loved and admired her as she is a true “Southern Belle” and it’s truly a loss for her family as well as the church and community. Love & Prayers for her Family♥️
Judy Redden’s loving and serving heart was ever present in her beautiful smile and in her service to help others and to make her home and community a happier place. She will be remembered by many including me.
Judy was one of the sweethearts of Dickson County. She was always considering how she could make things better for everyone… anyone.
Our community is better because of her genuine concern for people.
My condolences to her family. She always spoke of each of you with such love and pride.
Such a beautiful day in Dickson and such a beautiful celebration of life for our friend Judy. While my body did not allow me to attend visitation or the funeral, my heart was at both places. We know that Judy has gone to a better place, but Dickson is at a loss without her. My heart breaks for her family that she loved so much. Prayers to her family and all her friends.
Judy was an amazing person who loved well. She will be missed by not only her family and friends all over Dickson County but her church family. She meant so much to so many. She exuded warmth and grace that could only come from Above. I love how she always knew when new people and visitors were in our services, which I tried to do also, but she was always there before I could get to them!! Also, I loved when she volunteered at the cancer center when I saw her there. She was truly an ambassador for FBC Dickson and Dickson County and a great servant to our Lord. Love and prayers for Larry and family. May God hold you close until we all see her later.
Gail Williams