Profile: The lives of Judy Averett
Judy Guttormson Averett, a third generation Norwegian immigrant, graduated from Olney High School and attended Texas Tech and Midwestern State University. Judy has worked in various jobs: she worked as secretary at her church the summer before she attended Texas Tech. She worked in a secretarial pool, was a model for a hairdresser and a walking model for a store.
Judy also worked as a police dispatcher, worked for a county health department and worked for a medical clinic. She also worked as a salesman for an insurance company and became staff manager...she also had a Public Relations job as salesman for Fort Worth Business College. Judy had a paying part in the movie Texasville. She was a pianist for her church. This was a memorable time for her, as her daughter played the organ at that time. Judy grew up mostly in the home of her caring and stable maternal grandparents, even though her dad had built a home for them on a family farm, as there was an emotional disability in her immediate family.
Judy learned patience, perseverance and sympathy. She has never forgotten the influence of her grandmother. This background prepared Judy for this job as proprietress. In 1981, Judy married Billy Averett. Billy was a Graham, Texas,. native and had worked with and for family, who were recognized as excellent carpenters in this area.
Billy had lived in coastal east Texas where he framed houses and honed his trade. Billy moved to Olney. He began contracting remodeling jobs and then, to build houses and commercial buildings in and around Olney. Billy and Judy were owners and sometimes part owners of a lumber yard. Billy also leased land on a river and built a rock washer plant – rocks were washed and separated by size.
These rocks were used at the sites of Billy’s jobs or were sold to others for various needs. Many homes,, businesses, buildings, and houses of worship in this area boast of having the apparent touch of the artistry of Billy Averett.
Billy and Judy thrived as a couple and brought together a large blended family. Judy became a homemaker and a helpmeet, seeing to the needs of her very busy husband and children. Judy also took out time to devote to civic duties. She held a fundraiser for cancer research in her home, with concern for those suffering from that disease, not knowing that the group would later include her own son.
And in 2008, she was elected to be a delegate for the state political party of her choice and attended the convention in Austin. Judy is a member of Amity, which is a longtime Olney civic club devoted to the needs of the community.
In 1981, Billy built the units of the South Terrace Apartment complex. He and Judy became the managing owners. Billy acted as contractor of his and Judy’s home and they both did some of the work themselves. He drew the plans, always asking for Judy’s preferences. They moved into their home in 1988 and shared it with their family. They hosted a wedding and receptions in their backyard for two granddaughters.
The background in the photo of Judy is an illustration of Billy and Judy’s combined creation – Billy continued his career as a contractor and in 1988, Judy became the managing owner/secretary of the complex. Billy and Judy hired people to help maintain the property and Judy still does.
Billy became a victim, as many in his profession do, of falls at the jobs he was contracting. He had surgery on his neck and his back. The back surgery kept him out of pain which enabled him to continue to do the job he loved for some years. Billy retired, and, after some well-deserved years of retirement, passed away. Billy was recognized as a fair and capable home builder in Olney and is fondly remembered by the community.
He is lovingly missed by his family. In 1988, Judy became managing owner of South Terrace Apartments. Judy had had some years to learn the business of managing the complex and her background prepared her for the task.
Rural Rental Housing or Farm Labor Housing provides rent assistance for some tenants that is paid to the managing owner of South Terrace Apartments. These applicants have top priority. Rural Rental Housing also sets some guidelines - they provide the applications, which are purchased by Judy, in compliance with that program. South Terrace Apartments is audited by USDA and bookkeeping is a big part of Judy’s business life, as it is with all businesses. As managing owner, Judy is allowed to set some guidelines for these apartments that she feels are appropriate for herself and her tenants. Judy oversees 44 apartments and is on call 24 hours a day. A water leak takes top priority and the accessibility and convenience of the trash holders have been big concerns, as Judy, at her own expense, had some curbs removed to accommodate truck drivers who remove trash.
During the early days of the COVID-19 virus, Judy put a note on each door of her apartments, explaining the coming quarantine, so they could prepare. When she contracted the virus herself, she quarantined in her office, receiving the rent through a slot and used gloves when she received cash.
She depends greatly on her maintenance supervisor – he is well liked and trusted by the tenants. Judy and this supervisor try to individualize the needs of the tenants.
Many of the tenants are older people, needing to downsize to a smaller living space and to be relieved of the responsibility of a yard.
The tenants form a neighborhood and vary in their interests. One man conducted Bible studies in his apartment and a woman invited people in to play cards. There was a man who set the fence on fire while barbecuing. Two tenants who have mowers like to keep their lawns. There are three tenants in wheelchairs. The renters come from different backgrounds and have had varied job experiences – very much like the proprietress Judy has persevered in the joy of life, even as she and her blended family have felt the sting of losing to death many loved ones. She still has a large family living in Olney. She persists in being optimistic about the future and being helpful in the lives of others. Judy has been a part of Olney life and business many blessed years and will be pleased to have many more......