Judith Kemp Montgomery's Obituary
Judith Kemp Montgomery was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 6, 1941. Two days later a doctor in the hospital brought her father a radio so her parents could listen to President Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech. She died November 30, 2023.
Judith grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee with her parents, Ottis and Opal Kemp, and her sister, Sarah. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Montgomery, and her nephew, Scott Begor. Judith is survived by her sister Sarah, her son Richard, his wife Dabney, her grandchildren Kemp, Smith, Mary Dabney, Judith’s niece Alison and nephew David.
Judith lived most of her life in eastern Arkansas and was active in the First Baptist Church of Hughes, Arkansas, the Town and Country Garden Club, Richard’s Cub Scout Pack, and the PTA. She worked as a medical technologist for almost four decades in the former Baptist Memorial Hospital in Forrest City. Though most of her time was devoted to raising Richard, she loved knitting and growing roses. She adored her pets Allie, Joshua Pierre and Papi. She appreciated nature in all its beauty and was especially fond of butterflies, giraffes, roses, and birds.
One of Judith’s favorite memories was a trip to France with her son and sister. Touring the various French landmarks allowed her to practice one of her favorite acts of kindness- politely interrupting “selfies”, situating the subjects and snapping the photo on a surprised stranger’s own mobile phone.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis in Judith’s memory.
Graveside services for Judith will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 10:00am at Memorial Park Cemetery.
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