Judith "Judy" Marie Clark Mecum

GAINESVILLE, GA-Judith "Judy" Marie Clark Mecum, 84, of Gainesville, following an extended illness, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Judy was born in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia on June 3, 1940. Judy was the daughter of Levis B. Clark and Silvia M. Wallace Clark. She married Richard V. Mecum in Gainesville, Georgia on January 28, 1978. They had been married forty­ seven years before she passed away.

Judy is survived by her husband Richard "Dick" Mecum, brothers Ronald Clark, and Bruce Clark; her children Cindy and Chris Thompson, Cathy White, Stacey and Daniel Manning, and Kelly and Melinda Strickland. Judy was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was deeply interested in all they were doing. From hobbies to jobs, she was always asking about every detail. She was incredibly proud of every one of them. Her devotion to her nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren was very evident, she had pictures of them in every room in the house; grandchildren Jessica Thompson McClain, Riley White, Seth White, and Morgan White, Mason Manning, Kylie Manning, Amber Strickland, Lexi

Strickland and Josh Hewell; and great-grandchildren Burke McClain, Charlie

McClain, Hudson McClain, and Michelle Hewell. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Dennis "DC" Denton Clark.

Judy grew-up in Gainesville, Georgia and graduated from the Gainesville High school. In the four years of high school, she was assigned first chair playing the French horn in the school's concert and symphonic band. Judy graduated from Gainesville Junior College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. She later graduated from the Northeast Georgia Police Academy at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Judy continued her musical interests by learning to play the piano and organ. She played piano and organ for several years at Emanuel Baptist Church on Atlanta Highway. She served several other churches in Hall County that needed temporary musical assistance. Judy was a member of the Lakewood Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church in Gainesville. Music was a very important part of Judy's life.

Judy's favorite hobby was gardening. She was a member of the Hall County Master Gardeners, and worked in many of their events and programs. She was especially pleased to have been involved in helping to start the Master Gardeners "Gardens On Green Project." Judy was always busy working in the yard at home. Planting some new flower or bush, or cultivating and working her existing plant gardens.

Judy went to work at the Hall County Sheriff's department in 1973, and became a detective in the investigations department, Juvenile Division. She achieved the rank of Detective Sergeant and Lieutenant for the Juvenile Investigation Division.

The Hall Sheriff's Department Promotion Board selected Judy for promotion to the rank of Captain, of the Detective's Investigations Division. She was the first female promoted to this rank in Hall County Sheriff's Department history.

Judy entered the Hall County Sheriff's race in the early 2000's, but her campaign was cut short upon the death of her mother Silvia Clark, to care for her ailing father, and aunt, Omie Smith.

Judy had a loving heart for the safety and protection of children. During her time as a deputy sheriff, she started the "Bear to Buckle Up" program, which promoted vehicle seat-belt and safety-seats for children. For several years, Judy would visit all Hall County elementary schools, grades 1st through 3rd, to teach and encouraging seat-belt and safe children seat usage. The "Bear to Buckle Up" program received State and National recognition for its educational success. This program was the first to allow law enforcement into the schools for educational purposes.

Judy also established a child abuse prevention program throughout Hall County speaking to parent and teacher groups, churches, and civic organizations.

Judy retired from the Sheriff' Office in 1997, after 24 years' service.

Judy was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the State Board of Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, and served for eight years. She was also appointed to the Hall County Library Board where she served for several years.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Dr. Gainesville, GA 30504. Pastor Mike Taylor and Pastor Christopher Thompson will officiate. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with full Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to: Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741or online at: https://give.michaeljfox.org/ and click on the donate icon.

Memorial Park Funeral Home 2030 Memorial Park Dr. Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to: www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com