Judith Ellen O'Daniel Hornsby

Judith Ellen O’Daniel Hornsby, known to family and friends as Judy, was born on August 11, 1939, in Elmore County, Alabama, and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family at age 86 on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Judy grew up in Kent, Alabama, where she attended elementary and junior high school. She graduated from Tallassee High School in 1957, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in 1960, and later received a Master of Science degree from Auburn University in 1967.

From an early age, Judy demonstrated a deep love for music. Her talent on the piano was evident when, at just seven years old, she began playing for church services at Providence Primitive Baptist Church. As a young woman, she played piano for several gospel quartets that performed on the radio and she accompanied the Tallassee High School Glee Club. Judy also played the clarinet in the Tallassee High School band.

While attending the University of Alabama, Judy was an active and accomplished student leader. She served as rush chairperson for the Alpha Chi Omega social sorority and was voted Outstanding Graduating Senior. She majored in Library Science with a minor in English, made the Dean’s List several semesters, and completed her undergraduate degree in three years.

Following graduation, Judy began her professional career as an assistant librarian at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. She married Ernest C. “Sonny” Hornsby in May 1961, and the couple returned to Tallassee in 1962. Judy worked as the librarian at Tallassee High School, where she also directed the Glee Club and assisted with two senior play productions.

Throughout her life, Judy remained deeply committed to education, music, and service to her community. She served as choir director and pianist at Macedonia Christian Church and was the pianist at The First Baptist Church of Tallassee for more than a decade. Judy was known for the distinctive runs she included in her piano pieces, creating a beautiful and unique sound. She served for many years on the Tallassee Board of Education, was president of the Les Temps Literary Club, president of the Tallassee Jayceettes—where she received the State Boykin Award—and president of the McCraney-Cottle Arts Council. She also served for several years as a docent at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Judy and Sonny were consummate hosts and generously opened their home, Seven Gables, to the Tallassee community, delighting in entertaining and hosting gatherings.

Above all, Judy was devoted to her family. She was immensely proud of her three children and devoted much of her time to supporting them in their many activities: tennis, dance, theater, and piano. She especially enjoyed accompanying her children on the piano as they sang and performed at church and throughout the community. Later in life, Judy experienced great joy in her seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Judy, Sonny, and their family shared many cherished times at Lake Martin, at the lake cabin of Judy’s parents, which continues to be enjoyed by the family today.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Lamar Bruce O’Daniel and Mae Zell Mullins O’Daniel. She is survived by her husband, Ernest C. “Sonny” Hornsby; her sister, Joan O’Daniel; her children, Clay Hornsby (Nancy), Emily Hornsby, and Allison Deison (Tom); her grandchildren, Warner Hornsby (Anna), Judith Capps (Thomas), Ben Nelson (Catherine), Cummings Nelson, Hunt Deison, Oakley Deison, and Mae Deison; and her great-grandchildren, Hastings Hornsby and Julia Capps.

Visitation will be held at The First Baptist Church of Tallassee from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 7, 2026, followed by a celebration of life service at the church at 1:00 p.m. There will be a private grave side service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the McCraney-Cottle Arts Council. Contributions can be mailed to the McCraney-Cottle Arts Council, P.O. Box 780551, Tallassee, Alabama, 36078. Please include on the contribution that it is being made in memory of Judy Hornsby.

The family would like to thank Robin Caine, owner of In His Service, a family-owned and operated in-home caregiving service, for providing empathetic, responsible, and kind caregivers for Judy, as well as ProHealth Hospice, who kept Judy comfortable and peaceful during her time of need.