Julia Marie "Judy" Dixon, 78, of Waverly, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at her residence. She was born on January 22, 1947, in Cincinnati to the late Owen Donald Fishback and Mary Ellen Cahill Fishback. Surviving are Lari (Eric) Patton of Waverly, Stephanie (Luke Brannigan) Schlie of Johnstown, Amanda (Russell) Koenig of Lewis Center, and David (Padmini Roy-Dixon) Dixon of Worthington; grandchildren, Eric Patton, Kristina Patton, Rose Koenig, Rider Koenig, and Julian Dixon; and brother, James "Gee" Fishback.

Judy spent most of her life serving others. As a mother, she put her children first. She would drop everything if one of her kids needed her. In her career, she put the needs of others above her own. She never hesitated to answer the phone, no matter what time of night it was. She did not turn people away. In her life, Judy experienced an inordinate amount of loss. Perhaps most significantly, she lost her biological father at a very young age and then her mother when she herself was just a young mother. The loss she experienced seemed to drive her to protect the people close to her. Judy suffered when her children suffered, and she fought hard for their happiness. She made sure they never doubted they were loved. Despite working a full-time job, she seemed miraculously to show up to every one of her four kids' games, plays, concerts, track meets, awards banquets—even when they happened on the same night. She encouraged her kids to follow their passions and taught them that their happiness mattered much more than money or material possessions. Judy's desire to protect others expanded to all those in need. She became Executive Director of Pike County Outreach in 1989. In that role, she helped people choose food for their families, pay utility bills, and stay in their homes. She welcomed everyone. She also tirelessly advocated for Outreach, speaking at Rotary meetings, church functions, and other events in order to raise both awareness of her organization and funds for its mission: "Feed the hungry, house the homeless, and keep people in their homes." During her early years at Outreach, Judy completed a master's degree in theology. She often said her job was her ministry so she would do whatever was needed, whenever it was needed. She took calls at all hours of the night—often from police officers looking for emergency housing for folks with nowhere to go. She delivered food to people who had no transportation. She made sure people had money for heat, for gasoline, for car repair, for prescriptions, for diapers, even for funeral expenses. With dignity and respect, she helped people in need have agency over their lives. While serving people in her community, Judy recognized the immense need for housing in the area. She developed a plan and secured funding for the first homeless shelter in Pike County, which opened as Bridgehaven in 1997. Over the years, many of the residents at the shelter were teenagers, and Judy was like a mother to them. She encouraged and supported them as they gained the education and work experience they needed to start their adult lives. Judy Dixon made her life about love. She served her community with heart, and she showed her children how compassion changes lives. Judy was happiest when surrounded by her family. It didn't matter what they did together, as long as they were together. Now, she will again be together with the loved ones who left her too soon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. Mary Queen of the Missions Church in Waverly with Father Droll officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Union Cemetery on Denver Road. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church.

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Services in care of Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Waverly.