Julia (Judy) Barbee Crothers, 80

October 18, 2024

Julia (Judy) Barbee Crothers, age 80, died on October 18, 2024, in Lancaster, PA after a short illness. She resided at Willow Valley Communities having previously lived for 48 years on her Crothers Road farm in Cecil County, MD.

Judy is survived by her husband of 58 years, James (Jim) A. Crothers II. Her family also includes two sons: C. Taylor Crothers II, of Cold Spring, NY, whose wife is Kathleen D. McLane and J. Alexander Crothers III of Burlington, VT, whose wife is Jessica W. Crothers.

Judy also dearly loved her three granddaughters: Charlie, Isla and Mary. She is also survived by a sister, Sara Phelps of Richmond. VA, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents. John W. Barbee and Dorothy S. Barbee of Richmond, VA, and a brother, John W. Barbee Jr.

She did a lot of things in her life and all of it was good. She was a wife, a mother, a “gran,” a teacher, a librarian, an artist, a gardener, a puzzle-solver, a very good cook and dancer, and a fan of J. Lohr Chard. Judy graduated from Mary Baldwin University and earned a Master Gardener certificate from Longwood Gardens. She was the treasurer of Crothers Insurance Agencies, Inc., J&J Enterprises, and the Rockbridge Baseball Club. Most importantly, she taught her granddaughters how to whistle, blow bubblegum bubbles, and how to play in the dirt. She was also unbeatable in “Rocks, paper, scissors.”

As an artist she painted with the Northeast Four who had several successful exhibits in North East, MD. She was also a Board member of the Cecil County Public Library. She was an expert on French Impressionism and also collected paintings from the New Hope School (Pennsylvania Impressionism centered around Bucks County). Her Summer “Sweet corn parties” were notable events, which occasionally featured a hot air balloon and a jousting tournament.

For nine years she hosted Wilmington Blue Rocks minor league baseball players in her home during the season. Of the fifteen players who called her “Mom,” seven became Major Leaguers.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 16, at noon at the Meadia Heights, Golf Club, 402 Golf Road, Lancaster, PA 17602.

Please come dressed in the colors of the changing seasons for, as an artist, Judy reveled in the beauty of light and color. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your favorite charity or cause.