Judith Jane "Judy" Johnson

Farewell, all of my beloved,
I have been one of the luckiest people that ever lived. I had a wonderful father and mother (Martha Lou Elliott Johnson and Robert Victor Johnson). They named me Judith (which means beloved), but I lived with Judy JJ all of my life - sometimes happily and sometimes gritting my teeth. They bequeathed to me their intelligence and their loving natures; their sense of rightness and tolerance; instilled in me the true essence of the fellowship of man and taught me it was right and fair to love openly and fully, and to reach out my hand to others fearlessly. They honed my integrity and my honor; gave me the gift of the promise of tomorrow, and helped make me the woman I hope I was every hour and minute of every day of my life. Mom gave me the words, and they both gave me the music. They were truly, each day they lived, my very best friends. I felt their loss keenly, every day, until the end of my life. Bless them forever.
I had a splendid and amazing Grandmother, Wahneta (she held strong in the midst of great adversity and raised a grand family alone; besides mom, she gave me a truly loving aunt, Betty Jane, and a stalwart uncle, Bill Elliott. Aunt Betty gave me Uncle Emy, Jerry, Bill and Robby while Uncle Bill gave me Aunt Jo, Randy, Jeff, David and Jared. Plus I had a big extended family therein. I loved them all fiercely. Aunt Betty’s sons were like brothers to me. In Austin, Texas, we lived in each other’s hip pockets.
When I was almost four, my parents gifted me with my wonderful sister, Susan Elane, and let me believe with all my heart that she was mine to love and protect for all our lives. And so began a lifelong destiny of never ever feeling alone even after our parents passed away.
And Susan Lakin gave me Michael, Dale (my ex-brother-in-law who was like a brother) and two wonderful nieces, Wendy Elizabeth Carpenter and Robin Elane Burge. I had the privilege of helping them grow into lovely women who in turn gave me two Kevins, Matthew, Cady, Logan and Gavin.
Kay, Diz, Kim, Jill and Randy first became friends and then family. I was Kay’s children’s unofficial God Mother. They brought so many people into my life; so many it’s hard to count them and the love wrapped up in their hearts.
I loved three men in my life, but never married. This saddened me at times, because I was lonely. Still...the joy of loving was always there as well as the friendship. All I had to do was count the blessings of family and friends to feel better.
I have had so many good and true friends; some of which I knew most of my life.
I spent that life trying to honor and protect those friendships as best I could.

Some I called Best Friend, and you know who you were. So here’s to all of you - Wil, Mary & Arty, Greg, Phil, Smokey, Dale, Lynne, Kathy, Shawn, Debbie, Pat Dave S, Jan, Bob R, Jonathan, Carol D, Carol L, Jim M, Nora, Mary B, and all ’ the many others that came and went as the years rolled by. They all enriched my life and found a place in my heart.
Then came my children, Jillian Kimberly Johnson and Jeremy Dennis Johnson. I was the first single person to adopt in Missouri. I am so very proud of both of them and honored to have been their mother. They were a dream come true and never failed to keep that dream alive. I hope their lives will be long and happy. Finally, Jerry brought Beth and my two grandsons, Joshua and Jonathan, to me to make my world all the better, then came my great grandson, Carter. My soul will take my children and their family’s love with me forever.
If there were anyway I could, I would sing you a song today. It was the very best thing I ever did besides loving all of you. But if you close your eyes and listen carefully, you will hear me. So in memory of me, be well, be happy and live long, long lives. Think of me when you can. I will be watching over you.
Love, Judy