Saturday, Judy Carns, the wife of State Representative Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills) died after an illness. Mrs. Carns was a well known conservative activist and outspoken President Donald J. Trump (R) supporter.
Alabama House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R – Rainsville) said in a statement, “Serving in elected office requires a full-time commitment not only from the candidate whose name goes on the ballot, but also from the spouse who loves and supports them. Judy Carns played that important supportive role for our colleague, State Rep. Jim Carns, for decades, and the love they shared was apparent to all who were around them.”
“Judy was also a long-time conservative activist who worked hard to promote that political positions and the Republican candidates in which she believed,” Ledbetter wrote. “She was a positive and energetic influence upon every campaign in which she worked.”
“On behalf of the House Republican Caucus, our prayers of comfort and healing go out to Rep. Carns and to the family and friends that Judy leaves behind,” Ledbetter concluded. “Everyone whose life was touched by Judy can take solace in the fact that we will see her again one day when God calls us home, as well.”
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan wrote, “A true gracious lady in her words and deeds. We lift the names of the family of AL State House of Representative Jim Carns up to the Lord’s ear. A big loss for us all.”
“She was an amazing friend and supporter of the Republican Party who campaigned tirelessly for President Trump, often while wearing her signature pink TRUMPETTE hat,” Lathan said. “Judy was a true role model for so many. A woman firmly planted in her faith, Judy was the first to fight for the things which she loved and believed, while reaching out with her southern charm and grace. Her spirit of graciousness and gratitude drew her to you. Her heart was big and embraced us all.”
“Tonight, I’m heartbroken over the loss of Judy Carns,” Greater Birmingham Republican Women President Britney Garner said on social media. “She was a true Steel Magnolia in our state. Her faith in the Lord was always at the cornerstone of every conversation we ever had. Judy never forgot I had family from Etowah County and always took an interest in me from the first time I met her and Jim on the Tim James campaign. Some of my favorite memories of Judy always involved campaigns. She is the only person that I would carry Trump flags through multiple states and the statehouse for. But my favorite all time memory is this picture right here. We had just left the White House and she came and sat next to Timothy and I. We laughed so hard that night I cried. She loved to tell stories about how Jim and her met. That night Timothy and I talked about the fellowship we had and how we hoped we were like her and Jim when we grew up. I will truly miss seeing Judy around town and at Republican events, but I know she is rejoicing in heaven with her Creator and he has welcomed her with open arms saying Job well done my good and faithful servant.”
Judy Carns is survived by her husband, Rep. Jim Carns; two sons, Jase and Matt; her daughter Christa (Tad); and six grandchildren.
