Judy Lynn Mims-Daniel
Judy Lynn Mims-Daniel was born September 3, 1969 in Casper, Wyoming. She was nurtured, loved, and encouraged to dream big in Mountain Home, Idaho by her parents Willie Elbert and Rutha Mims and her older brother Avery Dale Mims.
A precocious child, Judy learned to read by the age of 3. As she grew up, Judy excelled in everything she attempted, from spelling bees to Girl State, she made her parents proud. Her early academic achievements were reflected in a host of awards including: Outstanding Negro Student, Mastery in French and Spanish, Presidential Scholar, and National Merit Scholarship. She attended East Elementary, Mountain Home Jr. High, and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1987. Judy received a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Idaho in 1990 and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University in 1993.
Judy cherished time with her extended family, thanks to the close relationship of her parents to their siblings. Summers meant more time with the cousins, playing at Grandma’s house in Alexandria, Louisiana, going from the home of one aunt to the next, joy riding with the Big Cousins, learning the latest dances, playing in the yard, listening to the grownups share stories, eating good food – all while doing her best to stay out of trouble. Judy loved the feel of a big family and large family gatherings so it is no surprise that all friends ultimately became family.
Judy met the love of her life, Mary (ML) Mims-Daniel, when she moved to Seattle after law school. On February 21, 1994 Judy and ML committed to each other forever and on January 20, 2013, after the United States government affirmed their right to equality by legalizing same-sex marriage, they were married in the eyes of the State. Together they stoked each other's thirst for adventure. They were partners in crime – forever dreaming of where life would take them and allowing laughter, joy and love to fill their home. This family was rounded out with the son of her Heart, Darnell E. Daniel, and the daughter of her dreams, Mercy I. A. Mims-Daniel. Reading with these two amazing beings, driving carpool, and being their social calendar coordinator filled her with joy. Judy also felt blessed to be Tutu to her grandchildren, her punas, Carter James Daniel and Faith Antioquia. She was totally in her happy place as Tutu – the sleepovers, movie nights, sporting events, school pickup and holidays all made her very happy.
Judy made it easy to feel comfortable in her presence. She was as social as they come, could work a room, and could get people to tell her whole stories that they might be reluctant to tell others – which also made her a brilliant, gifted investigator and attorney. Judy became a Member of the Washington State Bar Association in January 1993. She was a leader in the field of employment law, serving for 11 years as Assistant Attorney General at the State Attorney General of Washington, 7 years as Associate Director of the Dean’s Office at the University of Washington - School of Medicine, 7 years as an Attorney Investigator with the Employee Relations Investigation Team of Microsoft Corporation, and, in 2018 she began her most recent role as Senior Employee Relations Investigator on the Amazon Logistics Central Investigations Team.
Judy was as committed to community service as she was to her career. She had a heart for youth and for ensuring that young people have what they need to thrive. She served as Director of the Board of Directors of WestSide Baby and the Association of Workplace Investigators, where she had also been faculty for the Annual Investigations Institute for 9 years, and was also a Board Member of YouthCare Seattle.
Judy was deeply spiritual in ways that mattered. She believed there was more to life than just this earthly existence; that we all come from something larger and that there is something greater that we are all working towards. She was raised Southern Baptist, baptized on October 6, 1985 by Reverend George Slaughter at 1st Southern Baptist Church in Mountain Home, Idaho. She later joined Findlay Street Christian Church, now Welcome Table Christian Church, under the leadership of Joan Dennehy. In 2023, she and Mercy began regularly attending Bethany United Church of Christ. Judy served on the church board and taught Sunday School at Welcome Table.
Judy Mims-Daniel departed this life, far too soon, on May 9, 2024. She was the heart and soul of her family, and will be sorely missed. She leaves to cherish memories and share stories of her love and life: her wife, Mary Mims-Daniel; daughter, Mercy Mims-Daniel; son, Darnell Emil Daniel (Sarah); grandchildren, Faith Antioquia and Carter Daniel; mother, Rutha Mims, of Marysville, Washington; brother, Avery Dale Mims (Carol), of Haymarket, Virginia; aunts: Christine Henton, of Marysville, Washington and Alzina Irving of Alexandria, Louisiana; brother and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, a host of cousins, godchildren and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 25, 2024 at 11 am at Bethany UCC, 6230 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98108 (at Beacon and Graham).
Topic: Judy Lynn Mims-Daniel Memorial Service Time: May 25, 2024 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81174165180 (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81174165180) Meeting ID: 811 7416 5180
A 529 Educational Savings Plan account has been established for Mercy, in support of Judy’s dreams for her. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation directly to this account: https://go.fidelity.com/g2nm34 or, alternatively, Venmo your donation to the care of ML Daniel at:
Comments
Judy you will deeply be miss. We love <3 you. Reene The girl knew how to shop
Those we love don't go away,
They walk besides us everyday.
Unseen, unheard, but always near.
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
We wish everyone a lot of strength with this incomprehensible loss and are thinking of you.
Lots of love Bas and Esther (Netherlands)
I will miss your yearly visit to Ohio , I will miss the way we would take jabs at each other in a loving fun way, I will miss your laughter and smile your kind, caring , giving and gentle ways I will miss you my dear sister-in-law Truly gone to soon.
Peggy Daniel
Judy left us way to soon Its hard to believe that Judy is gone.
Judy you are a verry special person. Your open your hart to so many people you have that special gift to make people happy, laugh, believe in themselves and helping them whenever they need you. You are forever locked in my hart. Judy we are going to miss you very much.
Willem &Hyacinthe
Judy. My heart was captured by you the first moment we met. I just knew that you were one of the "good" people. We laughed a lot together and yes, we cried which were some of the most tender moments. I was privileged to be invited to both MLs ordination and your wedding. When you walked down the isle, I cried. I heard about your death from a friend and I admit, I am still in shock. You were so very much alive and glowing, I can't imagine you are no longer in this world. But you are in another world that you very much believed in. And my hope is that from that place, you can see and feel how much you were loved.
Dianne Grob
I miss you, Judy. From the first time we met, you greeted me with warmth and kindness. You shared your brilliant mind with anyone who sought your advice and lifted those around you with humor and laughter. I will miss you and blessed to have you as a friend. My condolences to ML, beautiful Mercy, and extended family and everyone you have ever touched with the wonder of you.
Marie Jo
Judy was gifted with a warm personality and blessed with the talent and drive to be successful in life. Her legacy will serve as an inspiration to others and her spirit will always be with us.
May our prayers be with the Family.
Sincerely,
Cleave/Felicia Elmore
I just learned of Judy's passing. I have many memories of laughter and joy in her presence and the warmth that was Judy. Such a bright light and gone far too soon. My deepest condolences to her family.
With love,
Millicent
Dear Judy,
I think of you with every sunrise
And I smile.
I miss you.
Lucia
Ms Judy, My heart cries out that I won't see you in flesh, but I feel your spirit around me which is comforting..
Thank you for being a part in my life. I will see you again in eternity. Love you, Noel
Noel Montgomery
