Judith (Judy) Elizabeth Horner Morgan (82) of York County, Virginia died August 6, 2022. She was predeceased by her loving high school sweetheart and husband, Wayne Morgan; twin daughters, Susan Parker and Mary Leigh Morgan; sister, Barbara Smith; nephews, James (Boo) Smith, Jr. and Leigh Smith; and daughter-in-law, Catherine Ann Morgan. She is survived by her son, Wayne (Morgan) Morgan, Jr. and his wife Judy O’Shields of Richmond; son, Adam Morgan and his wife Kelli of Virginia Beach; sister, Hope O’Connell; grandchildren, Ryleigh Morgan, Quinn Morgan and his wife Micaela, Allie Morgan, and Katie Morgan; great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Isla Morgan, Harper and Bradley Phillips, and Levi Johnson; nieces, Irene and Katy O’Connell; nephew, Earl Smith and his family; and dear friends, Ellen and John Tompkins, with whom she shared a bond as close as family.  The family wishes to thank Steve York who has been a good neighbor and loyal friend for many years.

Judy grew up on Hopkins Street, Hilton Village, Newport News, Virginia, the middle child between two loving sisters, Barbara and Hope.
She attended Hilton Village Elementary and was always remembered by her long blonde braided hair.  She graduated from Warwick High school in 1958, and attended Mary Washington College.

Judy and her sisters spent their summers on the beaches of the southern Outer Banks; where they enjoyed time with family and friends who came to stay at their cottage, and youthful diversions like barefoot dancing at Ras Wescott’s Nags Head Casino at the 12 mile post. Judy and Hope collected bottles on the roadside for return to Evan’s Store at Whalebone Junction to pay admission.

Judy recently shared with her family that one of the most carefree times of her life was age 8, at “band camp” in the mountains. She didn’t play an instrument, but she enjoyed three weeks of total freedom, swimming in the Cow Pasture River and eating what she liked.  When her family came to pick her up, she was a little unkept, mustard stains in her long blonde braids, but a huge grin on her face.

In high school, Judy drove a Sunbeam Alpine convertible and met her sweetheart Wayne Morgan. They were married in 1962.  She moved to Richmond to be with him at the University of Richmond after her studies at Mary Washington.  Wayne would pick Queen Anne’s lace flowers at the side of the road to “fancy” her.

After Wayne was commissioned a naval officer, Judy followed his ship throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.  Accompanied by her good friend Liza, they enjoyed dinners and dancing along the tour. She spent some of the best years of her life traveling in Europe and eventually stationed with her young family in southern Spain. Judy particularly took to the culture in Spain and would share fond memories of her experience there for the rest of her life. She passed her appreciation of travel and adventure to her sons.

After their return from Spain, Wayne was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina where they would reside before returning to Newport News.  They enjoyed living in Charleston and made many friends.

Judy was the mother who devoted her life to soccer, football, baseball, basketball, boy scouts, cub scouts, and Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum practice. Nothing was too much for her boys. She convinced Wayne to build them a full size football goal post and pitcher’s mound in the yard, and she allowed them to transform her living room into a band studio. When they misbehaved, Judy would make Adam and Morgan find their own switches, until the boys realized they could force detente by bringing back branches the size of logs.  It usually ended up in laughter and hugs rather than a whoop’n.

She worked as a real estate agent and for a time owned and operated an antique shop in Hilton Village called Chameleon. But what was most important to her were her boys, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.  After losing her husband Wayne to cancer in 2000, she focused on ensuring that they all would live safe, happy and enlightened lives.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate in her honor to your local food bank, The American Kidney Fund, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.