Judith Fingerle Simmons, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and community leader, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 85 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 27, 1940, she was the daughter of Phyllis Turnbull Fingerle and Earle Chapin Fingerle. A graduate of Ann Arbor High School, Class of 1958, she went on to attend Louisiana State University. There, she was elected Vice-President of the LSU Student Body, Vice President of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, and earned her BS in Education in 1962. It was also there that she would meet the love of her life.
Following her graduation, Judy married Martin Ernest Simmons, Jr., on June 23, 1962, in Ann Arbor. They moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she taught first grade at Meriwether Lewis School and was President of the Law Wives at the University of Virginia. After moving to Nashville in 1967, together, they built a joyful and enduring life centered on faith, family, and service. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Martin; her son, J. Carter Simmons; her parents; her siblings, Colin Jay Fingerle, Brian Earle Fingerle, and Jane Fingerle Parker; and her nephew, James Marron.
She is survived by her daughter, Alison Simmons Wingo and her husband John, of Franklin, Tennessee; her son, Martin Earle Simmons and his wife Mary Katherine, of Nashville, Tennessee; and by her adored grandchildren: John McLemore Wingo, William Reed Wingo, Emma Corinne Wingo, Margaret Aline Simmons, and Corinne Chapin Simmons. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: Betsy (James) Fowler, Katherine McColm, Lawrence (Linda) Fingerle, John (Laurel) Fingerle, Mark (Tracy) Fingerle, Sara (Buzz) Argersinger, Julie Marron Parker, and Anne-Marie Marron.
Judy could truly light up a room with her beautiful smile, her twinkling blue eyes, and her infectious laugh. An avid tennis player, she loved playing and sharing lessons with her friends. She also loved her LSU Tigers and all of their teams from football to gymnastics.
Equally strong and sensitive, she was the sweetest mom and beloved “Grammy” anyone could hope for. She had a gift of making connections with and between friends, with organizations, and seemingly with anyone she encountered. Judy devoted herself to family, community service, and leadership. She was tireless in civic and charitable causes, which were wide-ranging and deeply impactful. She served as Chairman of the Pi Beta Phi Christmas Village and later as President of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club of Nashville. She was President of the Friends of Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Medical Center and chaired the Inaugural Symphony Ball in 1985 with her dear friend Jeannie Hastings. Her commitment to education and the arts was reflected in her service on the boards of the Nashville Symphony and Reading is Fundamental (RIF).
She was a valued member of the Canby Robinson Society Board and its Scholarship Committee, and she led parent associations at both Montgomery Bell Academy and Harpeth Hall School. She also chaired the capital campaign for the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center and the endowment for the Dr. Fred Bess Chair in Audiology at Vanderbilt. A member of the Leadership Nashville Class of 2002-2003, Judy approached every endeavor with integrity, grace, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
Her extraordinary contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Paragon Award from the Junior League of Nashville for Outstanding Committee Service, the Pi Beta Phi Crest Award, and designation as Nashville Panhellenic Pi Beta Phi of the Year. She was recognized by and served on the Board of Directors for Family and Children’s Service, received the Friend of Otolaryngology Award from the Vanderbilt Department of Otolaryngology, and was honored at the Celebration of Women by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Judy’s family extends special thanks to the caregivers at Abe’s Garden and Alive Hospice, whose devoted and compassionate care brought comfort and dignity to her final days.
The family will hold a private service at St. George’s Episcopal Church and will be holding a public Celebration of Life / Gathering of Friends on Wednesday, June 25, from 4-6 pm at the Belle Meade Country Club, 815 Belle Meade Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37205. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
In remembrance of Judy’s remarkable life, memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, Abe’s Garden Community, 115 Woodmont Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, or the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center Department of Hearing and Speech, Vanderbilt Department of Hearing and Speech, 2006 Acklen Avenue PO Box 120082, Nashville, TN 37212-9998.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
