Judy C. Adams

Judy Carena Duck Adams was born June 26, 1948, to Mary Margaret Corena Brown and Robert Franklin Duck Sr. She was a child who had the classic beauty of an African princess.

Judy is survived by her son Marcus, husband Richard Adams Jr, brothers Howard Nathaniel Duck and Robert Franklin Duck Jr., Aunt Esther Brown, and a host of cousins, nephews, and nieces.

She attended Crescent Elementary and Westinghouse High Schools.

Judy is one of the youngsters regularly found at Bethany Baptist Church where many of her family are members. She was a believer and, in her youth, contributed her voice to the choir. She also sang with the Westinghouse High School Choir.

She was known to keep a garden and loved music and dance. Her culinary skills were legendary and once word spread that she was cooking it was sure to draw a crowd.

Judy was a businesswoman who was the owner, and operator of Barb Browns, and Your Place Lounge (YPL) in the Homewood and East Hills of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She would later manage Rendezvous Phase II and Ramseys II both in Homewood-Brushton.

Judy was widely known and loved throughout the neighborhood for her sponsorship of the YPL softball teams comprised of patrons who won championships in the 1980s. She also supported the many neighborhood appeals for the children, the elderly, and the occasional victims of house fires and other tragedies.

The patrons of her business were surprised when a sign was posted that the business would be closed Monday, October 16, 1995. When asked why Judy responded, “The Minister had asked that all Black businesses be closed and for Black men to attend the Million Man March!” As a result of her unsolicited action of solidarity one of the organizers (her future husband) invited her to go because she had earned it and thus Judy became one of the relatively few women who were in attendance on that historic day.

After selling her business Judy worked for 10 years at Restaurant Depot serving variously as Cashier. Receptionist and Customer Service Manager. The Depot supplied equipment, supplies and food to restaurants throughout Pittsburgh City and Allegheny County.

She also worked at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport for 2 years at Trans States Airline/TW Express as a Customer Service Supervisor, and at US Airways/PSA as a Marshaller guiding airplanes to a stop with a red wand in each hand.

After her retirement in 2010, she could be seen walking in the community 2 and 3 times every day for exercise. Armed with a senior pass she would ride the PAT bus all around Pittsburgh. It must be noted that no sale or BOGO escaped her. For those who ever saw her freezer at home or at the business, it was clear she was ready to cook and host a meal, big or small, at a moment’s notice.

Judy transitioned to receive her blessing and miracle in the early morning of August 3, 2023.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Judy’s memory, the family asks that you do so in her name to the Bethany Baptist Church 7745 Tioga St Pittsburgh, Pa. 15208 or the Health Equity | National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (ncnw.org) Mental health component of NCNW.

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