Judith “Judi” Ward Mattox Obituary

Judith “Judi” Ward Mattox, beloved wife, mother, stepmother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed on August 30, 2026. She was 84 years old.

Judi was born Judith Sue Ward on May 22, 1942, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to her parents Irene and Paul Ward. She was the oldest of four children, growing up alongside siblings Paula, Walter, and Nancy.

From an early age, Judi demonstrated the intelligence, determination, and love of learning that would distinguish her throughout her life. At College High in Bowling Green, she was a state champion debater and valedictorian of the class of 1960. She received a scholarship to Pepperdine University in California, where she became a nationally prominent collegiate debater; she graduated from Pepperdine in 1964. Subsequently, Judi attended the University of Kentucky College of Law and received her J.D. in 1967.

Judi’s legal career was an important part of her identity and a source of great pride. She began practicing law in Kentucky and then taught law in the early 1970s at the Pepperdine School of Law in California. After moving to Colorado, she returned to private practice, soon developing a highly successful practice specializing in government contract law. Her expertise became sufficiently well regarded that her services were sought both by government agencies and by contractors involved in disputes with the government.

Early in her Colorado career, Judi represented client Mary Alice Hill and served as sole counsel in Hill v. Nettleton et al. (1978), a federal case involving sex discrimination in employment practices at Colorado State University. Judi’s successful litigation established an important legal precedent in Title VII and Title IX jurisprudence, and the case has become an important part of the legal history surrounding sex discrimination in U.S. higher education.  

Judi’s commitment to preparation, research, and achievement was certainly not confined to her professional life. She believed deeply in hard work, learning, and doing things well. She encouraged her children to prepare carefully, to express themselves clearly, and to speak well—just as she exemplified those qualities herself. She loved playing the piano into adulthood, as well as listening to classical music throughout her life. She was also an enthusiastic and wide-ranging reader, with a special love for works of fiction.

Judi married James Allen Smith in 1964. They had one son, Jeffrey Allen Smith. Jim passed in 1970.

In the mid 1970s, Judi met Charles G. Mattox and entered a relationship that would last more than fifty years. They married on March 12, 1976. Judi and Chuck shared a daughter, Jennifer Leigh Mattox, and Judi became loving stepmother to Chuck’s children, Kelly and Michael.

Judi and Chuck made their home in Colorado, living in Denver and in Colorado Springs during their long and loving marriage. Jennifer was born in 1977 in Colorado Springs, but shortly after they moved back to Denver for a time, raising both Jennifer and Kelly and Michael. After returning to Colorado Springs in 1987, Judi made sure to give every opportunity to her children for success, supporting Jennifer through college. Jennifer remained close to Judi and Chuck but moved back to Denver to pursue her career. She remained close with them throughout her life, taking amazing trips like the one after Jennifer’s high school graduation, and a family vacation to Disney World for her 70^th birthday with Jeff, Kelly and Jennifer’s families. In her later years, Judi enjoyed playing and beating both Jennifer and Chuck at Scrabble frequently.

Above all, Judi was deeply devoted to family. She remained close to her sisters Paula and Nancy and her brother Walter throughout her life, as well as to the members of their families, and conversed with her siblings on a weekly basis. She also strove to knit together her family and Chuck’s family, placing great emphasis on attending and hosting family reunions, celebrations, and ceremonies. Judi grew particularly close to both of Chuck’s sisters, Connie and Donna, who valued her as friend and confidante, and to Shannon, Connie’s daughter. Judi was also a wonderful and caring mother-in-law. She remained a warm and trusted presence in the lives of members of her large extended family.

Judi adored her grandchildren and made an effort to remain an active part of their lives. She traveled frequently to Maryland to visit Jeffrey, his wife Milena, and their sons Nathaniel and Caleb, and she treasured their annual visits to Colorado. She was also a loving grandmother to Michael’s son Caleb and Kelly’s daughter Hannah.

Judi is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Mattox; her son Jeffrey Allen Smith, his wife Milena, and their sons Nathaniel and Caleb; her daughter Jennifer Leigh Mattox and her husband Eric; her stepdaughter Kelly, her husband Joseph, and their daughter Hannah; and her stepson Michael, his wife Brianne, and their son Caleb. She is also survived by her sister Paula Gort and her daughter Karla Fisher, and her brother Walter Ward and his children Ben and Leigh. She was preceded in death by her sister Nancy Ward, her niece Beth Ward, and her first husband, James Allen Smith.

Judi will be remembered for her intelligence, warmth, determination, and devotion to the people she loved. She believed in working hard, preparing well, learning throughout one’s life, and striving to do things well. She has passed on those values—and her love of music, learning, family, and conversation—to the generations that will follow her.