‘Nobody worked harder’: Remembering Judy Cagle

ROCKINGHAM — Judy Cagle spent decades serving as an advocate and volunteer for Richmond County and local businesses and nonprofits.

Cagle, a local business owner and animal advocate, passed away on Friday, July 3, at the age of 63. Cagle’s peers remember her as someone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on numerous projects — whether they involved bringing new businesses to the county, improving downtown Rockingham, bringing the community together for events or helping unite animals with new owners through the Richmond County Humane Society.

Cagle was the owner of Rockingham Paint and Glass and Rockingham Fitness. She served several terms on the Humane Society board, and she was also heavily involved with the Rockingham Downtown Corporation.

“She was one of the hearts of the Downtown Corporation,” said Robin Roberts, vice president of the Downtown Corporation and owner of Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham. “She was always big on the Humane Society… She loved downtown so much, and she wanted to see it flourish. She was always doing something to help.

“I’m going to miss her a lot,” Roberts continued. “She did a lot for the community.”

Cagle was a steadfast volunteer with the Downtown Corporation for more than 20 years. She served as the group’s secretary for much of that time. Downtown Corporation President John Hutchinson described Cagle as an “incredibly dependable” and “very committed” worker who frequently volunteered to help to plan and set up events.

Roberts particularly remembers Cagle’s contributions to Rockingham’s annual Christmas on the Square event. Cagle was always adamant about making sure there was enough gift bags to distribute to children at the event.

Things like that were what made Cagle’s contributions to the community so valuable, according to her peers. No job was too small for her, and she wasn’t bothered by not receiving recognition.

“So many things have happened downtown over the last 10 to 15 years,” Hutchinson said. “You’re hard-pressed to figure out who gets the credit for that. It’s a lot of people pulling hard in the same direction, hoping to make these things happen. She was definitely one of the key people behind the scenes.”

Cagle stayed busy when she wasn’t working on downtown projects. As a member of the Humane Society Board, Cagle helped the agency work through some challenging times financially. She was also instrumental in starting a partnership between the Humane Society and Richmond County Aging Services. Through that partnership, which still exists today, pet food and supplies are delivered along with meals for senior citizens who participate in the Meals on Wheels program.

Cagle spearheaded that partnership because she didn’t want seniors with low incomes to have to choose between buying their medicine or buying food for their pets. She also recognized that pets are often the only companions seniors have.

“She had a big heart for Meals on Wheels,” said Kim Partin, nutrition director at Richmond County Aging Services.

Carolyn Herndon, a longtime member of the Humane Society board, spoke highly of Cagle’s work ethic. She admired Cagle’s dedication to what was often a “thankless, hard” job.

“Nobody worked harder or was more faithful than Judy,” Herndon said. “… Judy’s enthusiasm and hard work were admirable — way beyond what she should have given.

“There’s nothing I could say bad about Judy.”

Cagle was also involved with several smaller projects throughout her community. For example, she helped start the community garden at Hitchcock Creek.

“She was big into keeping that going,” Roberts said of the garden.

Many came to know Cagle through her businesses, Rockingham Paint and Glass and Rockingham Fitness. Roberts, a close friend of Cagle’s, affectionately referred to the fitness center as “Judy’s Gym.”

And even with all of her obligations to her businesses, the Downtown Corporation, the Humane Society and other initiatives, Cagle’s friends could always count on her for a helping hand.

“She was always there to help me with all my endeavors,” Roberts said. “I could always count on here any time I needed anything.”