Judy Lee James, 79, of Russell Springs, KY passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. 
She was born in Russell County, KY on Monday, December 23, 1946 the daughter of Vernon & Elizabeth Lee (Wilson) Foley. She was of the Baptist Faith, a member of New Friendship Baptist Church, a graduate of Russell County High School class of 1965, received her secretarial degree from Somerset Vocational School, was a homemaker, worked at Russell Sportswear, was a Vet Tech for Dr. Wade, and retired as clinical secretary from Adanta.
She loved tending flowers, keeping her yard neat, gardening and crafting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Kenny Ray Foley.
Survivors include:
Husband – Ernest Smythe James
Two children – Stacey Lynn Overly, of Jamestown; Brian Lee James, of Russell Springs
Four grandchildren also survive.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Wilson Funeral Home in Russell Springs with burial in the New Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Russell County. The family will receive friends after 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Wilson Funeral Home until the funeral hour.
Funeral arrangements are a joint effort of New’s Monticello Funeral Home and Wilson Funeral Home.