Judy Williams

Judy Annette Oldham Williams stepped across the threshold from this life into God’s heaven at 1:37pm on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at the Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital in Plano.  Baylor Heart and Baylor Plano became like second homes to Judy in the past few years, where she was cared for by world class medical teams and the best care human medicine had to offer.  They were right there through every up and down even to her last breath. As Judy stood in the threshold, she spoke clear and strong words “I want up” and “I’m ready to go!”

She was seeing something good and wanted up out of that broken body holding her down and she was ready to move on.  On this side, she was listening to her grandson Matthew talk with her sweet sister Betty about his dreams for her farm someday, and how he would like to plant fruit trees.  His words were music to her ears, and she was at peace knowing her beloved farm would be left in good hands. That morning she had created fingerprint hearts with her daughter Shirley, and had visited with her granddaughter Angela, son Glen and sister Betty, and heard via phone from her granddaughter Melody who celebrated that she had passed the National Board Exam for Veterinary Medicine.  All was well in Judy’s world and it was time for her to move on.  She said she would save us a seat near hers in Heaven if she could.

Judy was born in Tyler, Texas on September 13, 1944.  She always considered the number 13 to be a lucky number. Her parents were Grover Oldham and Juanita Greer.  She had a big sister Veta Raye when she was born.  Veta would grow up to have a son Thomas Raye. Later Judy would have her little sister Betty who married David Kinzy as soon as she could find him, and much later from Grover’s second marriage Judy would get her sister Patricia Oldham and brother Wayne Oldham.  Patricia would grow up to have a son James Oldham. Her brother Wayne, married a Judi of his own and they have daughters Stephanie and Brittany. Judy grew up in the Tyler area, and often boasted of her moment of fame in the grade school play singing and acting to the “One Little Ducky” song.  She also told tales of chasing piglets and teaching newborn calves to latch on to their bottles of milk.

Judy left the country and moved to the big city of Dallas when she was 17, and  began working at Skillern’s Drug Store downtown.  She married Robert Williams when she turned 18, and together they would have daughter Shirley Johannsen and son Ira Glen Williams.  Shirley married Kris Johannsen and gave Judy her beloved three grandchildren, Angela, Melody, and Matthew Johannsen.  Judy’s grandchildren, along with most of the children in the church, called her Nana.  Nana was very tickled with Melody’s engagement to Jake Palmer, and wanted Melody and Jake to know that she gives her blessing to their marriage coming up in October this year.

She has left behind for now her legacy of faith and love with her family. She passed her deep faith and love of people and life to her children Shirley and Glen, who are both ordained Christian ministers.  She has passed her love of crafts, crocheting, and creativity to her granddaughter Angela.  She has passed her love of baking and her green thumb for growing plants to her granddaughter Melody.  And she has left her legacy of love for her Sugar Valley Springs farm to her grandson Matthew.  She also leaves many memories of songs and singing in church and in the car and wherever there was music. One of her proudest accomplishments was singing with the worship team and in the choir at Forest Grove Christian Church. You will hear some of her favorite songs during her funeral service. She leaves a larger than life legacy.  She loved her life, and would encourage us to love ours and to live it fully, taking delight in each day.  Each day is a blessing.  Give God thanks for it and live it fully and well.  Live each day ready to step across the threshold as Judy has done.

Judy is survived by her children Shirley Johannsen and Glen Williams; grandchildren Angela Johannsen, Melody Johannsen and her fiancé Jake Palmer and Matthew Johannsen; siblings Veta Raye, Betty Kinzy and her husband David and Wayne Oldham and his wife Judi; nephews Tommy Raye and Jamie Oldham.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Patricia Oldham, her son-in-law Kris Johannsen, and many other loved ones and friends over the years.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Allen Family Funeral Options.

There will be a funeral to celebrate Judy’s life at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 26, 2024, at Allen Family Funeral Options.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/96985

Judy will be laid to rest at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Lucas, Texas.