Judith Diane Stacy, 82, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025.

Judith, lovingly known as Judy, was a proud mother and consummate author. She was not only published in countless newspaper columns and magazines, but was the winner of the prestigious Carolina Novel Award for her first novel “Maggie Sweet” and later for her second highly requested sequel, “Betty Sweet Tells All.” Both books were published by HarperCollins and sold all over the world.

Judy was extraordinarily modest and sweet. If you were to ask her about her writing, she would seamlessly segue into asking you about yourself or would start talking about her family. Judy was the eldest of six sisters. She was a nurturing and devoted mother to five children and a loving wife to her high school sweetheart, Benton Ross Stacy. Together, they shared 64 beautiful years of marriage, a milestone they celebrated just before her passing.

Judy, like all artists, was incredibly curious and inquisitive. She made friends wherever she went. Judy truly loved life and everyone in it — especially babies. Judy absolutely loved babies. She touched so many lives, not only with her writing but with her incredibly big heart and loving unselfish nature. She would do anything for anyone if she could, even if it meant sacrificing something for herself. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and anyone that was ever lucky enough to meet her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by grandsons, Justin and Scott.

Judy is survived by her husband, Benton Ross Stacy; her children; Roger (Charlotte), Linda, Michael (Beth), and Chris (Rebecca); her sisters, Joanne (John), Margaret (George), Nancy (Dennis) and Susan; her grandchildren; Megan, Amanda, Katie, Benjamin, Ashley, Aaron, Madeline, Nicolas, and Hagan; and her great grandchildren; Jackson, Cameron, Viviana, Oscar, Nora, Zane, Lilian, Fiona, Weston, Reagan, Maisie, Alana, and Noah.

The family will be receiving friends and family on Saturday, September 6, for a celebration of Judy’s life from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at Prospect Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, N.C. The memorial service will begin promptly at 12 noon with Reverend Will Gipe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Stacy family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.