Julia (Judy) Lee Rye, 80, of Nanjemoy, Maryland, while surrounded by family and loved ones, peacefully passed away on October 10, 2024.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband James Carlton Rye, her father Thomas E. Bastain, mother Violet C. Bastain, sisters Gay Miller, Anna Hancock and Betty Jean Bowie. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Stonestreet and husband Paul, daughter Karina Colley and husband Rick, grandson Daniel Stonestreet, brother Thomas Buddy Bastain and many nieces and nephews.

In her younger years Julia was a teacher's assistant for the Charles County Public Schools working at Mt. Hope and Nanjemoy Elementary Schools. She had a great love of children and enjoyed helping to teach them in their early years. She enjoyed making crafts and for many years had a thriving business selling them at local craft shows and events. In her later years she was a homemaker and the cousin/aunt/mom/friend that everyone stopped in to see and visit with. Her door was always open and she was happy to see and help everyone.

Julia was a member of the Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for many years. She enjoyed helping to organize activities and events to support the NVFD.

She loved the outdoors and would spend countless hours outside bird watching, especially her beloved hummingbirds. She enjoyed hosting holiday dinners and having cookouts and crab feasts with family including her many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Julia truly loved everything about Christmas. The decorating, family gatherings, holiday meals and finding the perfect gifts for loved ones. It was always a special time of the year at JuJu's house. Everyone was welcome.

The family will receive friends at Williams Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 6 PM - 8 PM. Prayers will be at 7:30 PM. Services will be held at the Nanjemoy Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 with viewing from 10 AM until time of funeral service at 11 AM. Interment at the church cemetery. Repast to follow at Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request donations in her memory be made to the Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department, 4260 Port Tobacco Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662.