Julie Catherine Self Custer was born to John Thomas Self and Carol Joy Schneider Self Wooden on March 6, 1971, in Opelika, Alabama.  The youngest of three children, Julie grew up in Carrollton, Georgia during her elementary years; and in 1989, graduated from Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia where on the first day of school she met her husband Kevin Douglas Custer.  Julie and Kevin became "friends", studied together, and very quickly fell in love.  They both graduated in 1998 and were married the same year on November 28 in Waynesboro, Georgia, Kevin's hometown.

During their early years, they made their first home in Marietta, Georgia with their two sons, Jackson Harris Custer born December 22, 2002, and Bodie Douglas Custer born February 3, 2004. In addition to being a devoted mother and wife, Julie held an engineering position at Lockheed Martin. Julie showed determination and resolve in her life. For example, during her time at Lockheed, she was the first in her family to receive a Masters degree which she obtained from Southern Polytechnic in 2002.  Not long after this great accomplishment, she realized her love was motherhood, and she decided to leave her position to focus on her children.

In 2006, Kevin had the opportunity to transfer in his position with Tom Barrow Company to oversee their operations in South Georgia.  They moved to enjoy a "salt life" in Richmond Hill, Georgia, where her family currently resides.  Julie quickly became a treasured member of the community through her volunteer activities including church Vacation Bible School; treasurer for the RHHS football touchdown club and soccer booster club; and many other countless volunteer positions.  Her kindness was not only known in this way, but also with the tremendous friendships she built with so many in town.  For eleven years, she held a position as preschool teacher for Richmond Hill United Methodist Church Day School, where she was cherished by so many children and families as "Ms. Julie" engaging her students with endless crafts, activities, joyful songs, teaching them their ABCs and 123s, and sharing her love of Jesus Christ.  Julie was adored not only as a beautiful person inside and out; she was known to be extremely kind and generous, even in her death as an organ donor.

Her favorite time was with family on the beach; taking the boat out for the day to the barrier islands; cheering for her boys at their football and sports games; playing with her dog, Izzy; cooking a delicious meal to share with friends; running marathons in the mud, land, and water; time at the gym with close friends; and relaxing with her beloved husband and boys on simple things like playing cards at home.  On her last day, August 14, 2022, she had what seemed to be a perfect day - spending time with her son that morning before he left for school; laughing with her husband and great friends at the pool enjoying the beautiful weather; and relaxing in the kitchen preparing for dinner. Then, Sunday late afternoon, her heart took its final beat.

Julie is survived by her loving husband Kevin Douglas Custer and her adoring sons Jackson Harris Custer and Bodie Douglas Custer; mother and stepfather, Joy Wooden and Ronnie Wooden; her mother and father-in-law Deb and Les Peel; her aunt and uncle, Jacque and Ray Kinder.   She is survived by her sister: Lyn Self Huston (Lee Michael Huston) and their children Ann Lauren Huston and Ali Marie Huston; and sister Jennifer Self Langley (George "Bill" William Langley III) and their children William Thomas Langley and Lauren Taylor Langley.

She was predeceased by her father, John Thomas Self.

The family will receive friends at Richmond Hill United Methodist Church, 9050 Ford Ave #3640, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 on Saturday, August 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.   Her service will be held in the church sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception.

Flowers are welcome. Please consider donating in Julie's memory to The American Heart Association, heart.org, or to the RHUMC Day School, rhumc.com/day-school.

Remembrances can be made to the Richmond Hill United Methodist Church Day School or to The American Heart Association.