Mrs Judith Blanche "Judy" Slemmons Gracia's Obituary
Judith “Judy” Blanche Slemmons Gracia went to her heavenly home on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the age of 78. She passed away peacefully at her home in Covington, LA surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on December 1, 1945, in Iowa City, Iowa, to the late Edgar Leech Slemmons and Opal Blanche Miller Slemmons. She was preceded in death by her infant brother, William, her sister, Lois Kay Slemmons Sangster, her brother-in-law, George D. Fuller and her mother-in-law, Mary Gracia. She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Ernest Emile Gracia, Jr., her daughters, Tanya Powell (Eric) of Petal, MS and Dana Keith of Covington, LA. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Ernest E. Gracia, III (Amelia) and Adam Gracia (Morgan) and her grandchildren, Hailey Powell, Ernest Gracia, IV, Frederick Gracia, Musa Gracia and Noah Gracia. She is also survived by sisters, Mary Lou Fuller, Marge Rhutasel (Larry) and Nancy Stagner (Bill). In addition, she leaves her nieces and nephews, Lance Rhutasel (Marla), Chad Rhutasel, Ryan Stagner (Beth), Kelly Nilles (Larry) and Justin Stagner (Lauren) and many extended family members including in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and faithful friends.
Judy grew up on a farm near West Chester, Iowa. She graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman, Iowa in 1964. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in Iowa City with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN). For many years, Judy practiced nursing in clinical, supervisory, administrative and educational roles at Barnes Hospital and City Hospital in St. Louis, and volunteered on the SS HOPE in Natal, Brazil, Florissant Valley Community College nursing program in Florissant, MO, University of Virginia School of Nursing and UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA, Veterans Administration Hospital in Asheville, NC, and St Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. For 26 years, Judy served as Vice President of Human Resources at St Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington until she retired in 2013. She was much loved and respected by the hospital employees and her colleagues. Judy was active in the professional Human Resources healthcare organizations in the Greater New Orleans area as well as the national healthcare Human Resources organization.
Judy’s faith was important to her. It was the foundation of her life. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Covington, LA. She had a servant’s heart and giving soul. She was blessed with musical talent and served the Lord willingly playing her baritone horn in the church orchestra, playing the organ and piano, and assisting with the children’s choirs. She participated in the Young at Heart group at First Baptist and volunteered at Vacation Bible School. As a mother and a professional, there was always time for gardening, baking, and making muscadine jelly. She loved the outdoors and gardens. She took time for travels throughout her life. Her sisters’ trips were highlights of her travels. Having grown up playing sports, basketball was her favorite. She continued to support her alma mater, the Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball teams. She was an Avid LSU fan cheering for the Tigers football, women’s and men’s basketball teams. Traveling to the annual SEC and Final Four basketball tournaments were annual events she looked forward to.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Celebration of Judy’s life on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Covington, LA., 16054 Murphy Road, Covington, LA 70433 at 3:00 pm and the family will greet friends from 1:30 pm until service time. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Covington, LA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Covington (Building Fund), 16333 Highway 1085, Covington, LA or Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, 7200 Desiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203.
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