Julia Hamilton Lee

The Reverend Julia Hamilton Lee, Deacon

March 26, 1945 — March 21, 2026

Julia Hamilton Lee, lovingly known as Judy, passed away from complications of ALS on March 21, 2026, at her home in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by her art, photographs, and the personal treasures she held dear. She was born on March 26, 1945, in Hartford, Connecticut.

Judy was the daughter of the late James Spencer Lee, a retired Vice President of Pratt & Whitney United Aircraft Corporation, and Julia Hamilton Lee, a devoted mother, debutante, and one of the six founders of the American Woman’s Club in Brussels, Belgium. Judy’s family heritage included the Century old Jamison Door company in Hagerstown MD. She was the great-granddaughter of William T. Hamilton, Governor of Maryland from 1880 to 1884.

She was predeceased by her beloved brother Edgar Willing Lee; her sister-in-law Laurinda Jones Lee; and Peter Adams. Her legacy lives on through her devoted daughters, Michele Lee Goodrich of Simsbury, Connecticut, and Julia Hamilton Vaughn of Helena, Alabama; her son-in-law, Jeffery A. Vaughn; and her cherished grandchildren, Julia Hamilton (“LJ”) Vaughn and Garrett Hayes Vaughn. She is also lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, three step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. Judy is survived by her brothers, William T. H. Lee and Spencer Lee; her sisters, Sally S. Vaun and Betsy Adams; and her sister-in-law’s, Barbara Lee, Nancy Henderson and Deborah Lee.

Judy had deep roots in Connecticut, Vermont, Kentucky, and Maryland. She was a debutante in both Hartford, Connecticut, and Hagerstown, Maryland, and spent many cherished summers on her family’s farm in Kentucky with her beloved horse, Bobtail. She was a graduate of Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill School in Greenfield, Massachusetts; Centenary School in New Jersey; and the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from Norwich University. On October 11, 2011, Judy was ordained as a Deacon after completing a four-year course in Education for Ministry (EFM), followed by a two-year diaconate program through the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.

Her career included more than twenty-five years of dedicated service as a Shipping Coordinator for the French Division at Vineyard Brands in Birmingham, Alabama, where she utilized her fluency in French to facilitate the import of fine wines.

In 2006, Judy answered a divine calling to serve as a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. She served at several churches, including The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and later as Deacon-in-Charge at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Montevallo, Alabama. Judy also worked part-time at Episcopal Place in Birmingham for over twelve years, where she was a tireless advocate for residents and organized weekly church services. Her commitment to service extended to her early work as a phone operator for a women’s crisis hotline in the Birmingham area and later with Habitat for Humanity. She was also a longtime member of the Daughters of the King and contributed generously to the annual Gumbo Gala, helping raise funds for Episcopal Place.

Judy’s life was filled with joy and laughter. Whether immersed in a good book, creating beautifully detailed family scrapbooks, visiting Michele at the farm in Connecticut, or cherishing time with Julia, LJ, and Garrett on their many adventures, Judy embraced life fully. She also treasured time with dear friends near and far, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and connection.

Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at UAB’s ALS Clinic, as well as the ALS Foundation and Team Gleason, for their invaluable support during her illness. A very special thank you goes to Mark E. and his pilots for enabling Judy and Julia to visit friends and family in Connecticut one last time in the fall of 2025.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on May 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, located at 3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs Village, Alabama. The service will be available via livestream, with details to be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Judy requested that donations be made to The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi or the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in her honor.

Judy’s life was defined by perseverance and faith. She will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. She is deeply missed, but her spirit will remain in the hearts of those who loved her forever.