Judith Warren Caves Obituary

Judith Warren Caves

7/22/1938 – 6/30/2025

Dr. Judith Caves passed away peacefully at her home in Garner on June 30, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Davis Thomas Warren and Edith Violet Warren, of Somonauk IL; brother Alvin Warren; brother-in-law John Fox; and her beloved husband, Dr. Thomas Caves Sr. to whom she was married for 44 years. Dr. Judy Caves is survived by her sister Gwendolyn Ann, sister-in-law Myrtie Warren, a son Thomas Caves Jr., Daughter-in-Law Arlene Joanna, two grandchildren, Michael Christopher Caves and Grayson Cameron Caves, and many nieces and nephews. Her passion was her family—no matter how far away they lived or how young or old each generation became. She thoroughly enjoyed music, singing in the church choir at St. Paul’s Christian Church for over 50 years, and cheering for her beloved NC State University WOLFPACK and the Boston Red Sox.

Dr. Caves was born in Sandwich, Illinois. Her parents immigrated from England and settled in nearby Somonauk, where she always felt at home. To her dying day Judy kept a jar of soil (don’t call it dirt!) from the family farm at her home in Garner.

After graduating from Cornell College in Iowa, Judy served a 3-year mission in Malaysia and Indonesia. Upon concluding her mission, she worked for the Methodist Church Office in Manhattan, New York City. It was here that Dr. Caves met the love of her life, Dr. Thomas Caves, Sr. As Tom Sr. completed his post-doctoral work at Columbia University, he received an offer to teach Chemistry at North Carolina State University, where he taught for 30 years. Tom and Judy raised a son Thomas Jr., who Judy referred to as “the wind beneath her wings.”

Judy went to work for the state of North Carolina in 1976, working for Dorthea Dix Hospital as a staff psychologist. She later worked as Supervisor of Psychological Programs for the Department of Correction at Central Prison in Raleigh. At Central Prison, Judy offered counseling services to offenders who were serving long terms—including many offenders sentenced to life in prison or on death row. Judy also pursued a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology while balancing professional responsibilities at the prison and her passion for family gatherings. She received her doctorate degree in July of 1994.

Outside of work, Judy was an active member of the NC State University Club from 1970 until her death. While Thomas Jr. attended Broughton High School, she served as a “Band Booster” President and Chaperone. Judy is also remembered for supporting fundraisers at St. Paul’s Christian Church, where she served as a Serving Elder and Board Chair. She also hosted gourmet dinner events that she and Tom hosted annually, to raise funds for her church.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on July 15 at the United Church of Sandwich, located at 512 Lions Road. A visitation will begin at 1pm, followed by a memorial service at 2pm. A light reception will follow the memorial service, at the church. For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com

Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home

606 E. Arnold St.

Sandwich, IL 60548

815-786-2165