Judy Clay (September 12, 1938 – July 19, 2001)[1] was an American soul and gospel singer, who achieved greatest success as a member of two recording duos in the 1960s.

Born Judith Grace Guions, in St. Pauls, North Carolina,[1] she was raised by her grandmother in Fayetteville and began singing in church.

[2] She made her recording debut with the Drinkard Singers – who later became better known as The Sweet Inspirations – on their 1954 album, The Newport Spiritual Stars.

[6] A follow-up, "My Baby Specializes", also made the R&B chart, before she returned to Atlantic for one more record with Vera, "Reaching for the Moon", and a final solo hit "Greatest Love" (No.

[2] Subsequently, she worked as a backing vocalist with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway and Wilson Pickett.

[3] She was survived by two sons, Todd and Leo Gatewood, a brother, Raymond Guions, and her sister, Sylvia Shemwell.