Obituary of Judi Ethel Tolbert

Judi Payne Tolbert, age 74 of Blowing Rock, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022. She was a native of Watauga County and the daughter of the late Vilas Lawrence Payne and Ruth Carmichael Payne. Judi had a passion for cooking and baking. She shared this passion while working at the Blowing Rock Country Club and Appalachian Ski Mountain. She was also a member of Bailey's Camp Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Owen Tolbert, daughter, Michelle Tolbert Helton, and son, James Tolbert. She is survived by two grandsons, Graham Helton of Blowing Rock, and Parker Tolbert of Macon, GA.; one granddaughter, Megan Helton of Blowing Rock; one daughter-in-law Melanie Tolbert of Macon, GA; one son-in-law Iain Helton of Blowing Rock; and a sister, Jean Clontz of Boone. Funeral services for Judi will be conducted Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 12:00 noon in Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the services from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Private burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Blowing Rock. Per Judi's request, no food will be accepted, and in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the grandchildren, Graham and Megan Helton and Parker Tolbert. Online condolences may be made to the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Tolbert family.