On January 12th, Allison Mills shared the sad news of the passing of Judy Gregory. Less than a month later, the news that Ally had passed as well stunned everyone who knew them.
In the years before webinars, I met Judy at one of the underwriter events where we weren’t competitors, but industry colleagues. I met Ally the same way. And while I “knew” each of them, it wasn’t until years later, when we all somehow managed to work for the same company for a short period of time, that I got to actually know them.
It was hard to picture Ally and Judy as friends if you only knew them individually. Judy had the ever present smile and big personality and Ally had the stories, chuckle and dry sense of humor. But they clicked and so much of that had to do with their knowledge, dedication to our industry, and the respect that they each earned. Judy, a past VLTA president, knew the business from start to finish – underwriting to settlements. Ally talked about loving her days in the record room, and then learning how to put that knowledge into being a solid commercial underwriter.
In recent years, Judy had retired to South Carolina. Ally was still an active part of our industry and also entertained us on Facebook with stories and commentary that always included her trademark snark.
Years before his retirement from the Fidelity National family, Frank McCormick would talk about the future of the title insurance industry. Not just the changes due to technology, but also because the title examiners who knew how to dig through the actual courthouse land records and those who could do a settlement statement and a commitment without software, were a dying breed.
How ironic his words were with the passing of Judy and Ally – who could not only do it the “old way”, but could do it well.
~ Cindy Marable
Judy served in many capacities within our industry for decades, and as the first female President of the VLTA from 1989-1990. She retired to Myrtle Beach in 2021. She had a big personality and lots of friends throughout the industry.
Some of those who worked with her shared their memories of her and their friendships……..
I first met Judy Grigsby in January 1977 when I was hired by First American Title as a bookkeeper. I shared an office with her before I was moved to my own office. We became friends and it was during my first year at First American that T. T. Reynolds (in Fairfax City) opened, and it became a huge after work hang-out for title examiners, some attorneys, etc.
When she was there, she prepared commitments and policies, etc., but also supervised a staff who did the same. She was very knowledgeable and a good underwriter. A funny memory is of when one commitment typist was upset because she made a small typo in a commitment. Rather than asking her to correct it, Judy put a big red circle around the typo and told the girl to retype it. She was a perfectionist.
She went to work for Chicago Title in May of 1977. Sometime later she worked for John Ribble who did closings and was a Manager of Columbia Title.
At some point, probably the early 80’s, she and Wayne Graham, a title examiner, started their own title agency in Leesburg servicing approved attorneys. They were bought out by Southern Title, either 1989 or 1990 and that is when she and her family moved to Florida to be closer to her mother-in-law after serving as VLTA President. In Florida Judy continued working in the field, and I believe she was on the closing end.
~ Pat Shaner
Judy Gregory was very involved with the VLTA, serving among the earlier Past Presidents from 1989 to 1990. She was a dedicated and experienced Title Professional, serving the Association through her hard work and with her many contributions to the Title Industry. Judy was very supportive of others and encouraged other title professionals to become involved and share their talents with others.
Judy, you will be sorely missed by your peers and friends.
~ Julie Ann Rutledge
Judy and I first met at CTIC (Chicago). Afterwards we became business partners at Professional Title Services for five years. We remained friends who shared a birthday together. She always reminded me that I was 2 years older. I will miss her dearly.
~Wayne Graham
As Cindy noted, Allison Mills also passed away unexpectedly recently. Allison was a seasoned examiner and knowledgeable underwriter in northern Virginia for many years. She was smart, unafraid to speak her mind, and a friend to many.
Allison was one of a kind. She had a sharp wit and an even sharper memory. My conversations with her would frequently include a fun memory from her record room days. Allison also loved a challenge and digging deep into title work was her strong suit. She will be sorely missed.
~ Megan Meloon
Allison was a very experienced Title Professional. She exhibited a real love for title, with her hard work and dedication. Allison was highly respected by her peers. A knowledgeable title professional in her field, she did not hesitate to bring in other experts to assist with projects.
Allison was a good friend to many, with her caring disposition. She was kind and supportive of friends and peers. She embraced a real love for life, having joie de vivre, if you will. Allison was fun and fun to be around, with a great sense of humor. She loved to travel and would share her experiences with all.
Allison, you will be dearly missed by all your fellow title peeps and many friends.
~ Julie Ann Rutledge
