Judith "Judy" Henderson Stevens' Obituary
Judith Lee Henderson Stevens, wife of Frank Warren Stevens, Jr. (2021) and treasured matriarch of her family, passed peacefully into the arms of Yeshua on November 2, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Judy’s deep love for her family was surpassed only by her unwavering love of Yeshua. Her purpose on this earth was to point everyone she could toward Jesus and His eternal promise of salvation (Romans 10:1). Judy's steadfast faith in the face of life's challenges was a source of strength and comfort to those around her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to call her "family" or "friend."
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Doris “Dot” Pankey and Jack Henderson; her husband, Frank Warren Stevens Jr.; and her sister, Doris Ann Henderson Glover. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie McLeod (Jesse, 2018) and Sidney Petty (Ronnie); grandchildren, Jessica Patton (Brian), Rachel McLeod, and Cale Petty (Bridget); great-grandchildren, Ayelet, Oliver, and Zayne Patton, Chase Rounds, Derek, Levi, Addy, and Piper Petty; along with many cherished friends.
For most of her 85 years, Judy was married to Frank Warren Stevens, Jr., a marriage she had prayed for as a young girl. Not only did God fulfill her desire to marry Frank, but He also blessed them with two daughters, Valerie and Sidney, whom they cherished deeply.
In addition to her role as a loving mother, Judy was a dedicated volunteer serving her community in various capacities. During her daughters' school years, she faithfully served on several PTA boards. As they got older, she became their Girl Scout troop leader. Judy's passion for learning and sharing knowledge extended beyond her daughters and their friends. She went on to become a charter member of the Memphis Zoo's volunteer docent program. Her influence helped shape the lives of countless children in her community.
As her family grew, Judy’s new role as “Grandmoma” became one of her greatest joys. She frequently quoted Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crown of old age," a sentiment that captured her deep love for, and enjoyment of, her three grandchildren. She traveled around the globe to be with them and stayed connected through technology, embracing new platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram to keep in touch with her ever-growing family. When she was no longer able to travel as frequently, holidays and birthdays were filled with video chats allowing her to still be a present “Granny” in the lives of her great-grandchildren.
When Judy set her mind to do something, she did it – and did it well. Her desire to answer her young granddaughter’s question about their family history led her to dedicate countless hours researching both her own and Frank’s genealogies. She then used her newly developed skill of finding people and helped get everyone back together for the Memphis Central High School Class of 1957's 50th reunion. She maintained a close-knit group of friends from her elementary years with frequent lunch gatherings.
Judy was driven by an insatiable love of the Lord and a deep desire to grow in her understanding of His Word. In the later years of her life, she devoted her time to learning as much as she could about the Biblical Feasts, exploring how they were intricately connected to God's appointed times. This pursuit of Biblical knowledge became an integral part of her life and her enthusiasm for what she was learning became another way for her to share her faith with those she loved.
Judy had a flair for the bold—she loved her red purses, red shoes, and vibrant red lipstick. She could carry on a conversation with anyone and almost effortlessly turn it into an opportunity to share the gospel. Every day she lived out her favorite passage from the Bible, Psalm 100. And although she was admittedly tone deaf, it never stopped her from making a joyful noise unto the Lord, singing with a heart full of praise. Her infectious joy, fierce love, and radiant spirit touched everyone around her. She will be remembered as a woman who poured her heart into those she loved, who devoted herself to serving and uplifting others, and who was always seeking to grow in knowledge and draw closer to God.
A graveside service for Judy will be held privately.
The family request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memphis Jewish Home Rehab and Samaritan's Purse.
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