Judith Wolberton Gooch's Obituary
Judith Kay Wolberton Gooch, age 83, entered eternal rest and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with blood cancer.
Born July 24, 1942, Judith, a native of Fulton, Kentucky, married her college sweetheart, Gerald Gooch, in 1962. In 1964, she served as the librarian for the Murray State Laboratory School Library. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and library science from Murray State University in Kentucky. Her husband’s military career brought travel and adventure into their lives. After college, Judith and Gerald lived on different military bases in the United States. In 1964, Judith and her husband were stationed in Germany, and in 1965, she served as the Assistant Librarian of the Special Services Library in Nurenberg and in 1966, she served as the Head Librarian of the Special Services Library in Hoechst. Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where their daughter, Andrea, and their son, Russell, were born, and Judy became the head librarian of the Hernando, Mississippi, public library. In the early 1970s, they settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Judith earned a master’s degree in library science and media from Louisiana State University. She taught at Winbourne Elementary and Wedgewood Elementary teaching 5th and 4th grade, respectively. In the 1980s, the family was transferred to Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a few years later moved to Chalmette, Louisiana. Judith taught at P.G.T. Beauregard and was named the school children’s librarian at Meraux Elementary and Joseph Davies Elementary in St. Bernard Parish. In 1985, she completed her +30 from Loyola University and the University of New Orleans. Judy was President of the St. Bernard Council of the International Reading Association from 1988-1989. She was the Recording Secretary of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society from 1989-1993. Judy was named the Librarian of the Year in 1992-93 and the Louisiana State Librarian of the Year for the Louisiana Council of the International Reading Association. In 2002-2003, she was named as the Librarian of the Year for the St. Bernard Parish, IRA and Educator of the Year in 2004-2005 for the St. Bernard Council, IRA. She taught Children’s Literature at Nunez Community College as an Adjunct College Instructor from August 1992-December 2001 and shared the love of reading with future teachers. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home and community. Settling in Shreveport, Louisiana, to be near their granddaughter, Judy and Gerald, enjoyed being grandparents and traveling during retirement years. A few years later, they returned to Covington, Louisiana, to be with their family. In her later years, Judy resided at Sage Lake Senior Living Community until her death.
Judy loved and cherished her family. She was a wonderful, caring mother to her two children. She was a great listener. Judy was a committed, supportive, loving wife to her husband who moved the family many times. Judy was a devoted Christian serving in Baptist churches everywhere she lived. She enjoyed studying the Bible and lived out her faith in Jesus loving people, showing compassion, kindness, and encouragement to others. She had a heart for people and never met a stranger. She loved animals and had hamsters, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, a tarantula, and a hedgehog. She enjoyed gardening, scrapbooking, and reading. Judy had a large collection of teapots and shared her passion for tea and reading with her students in the library.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Gooch, her parents Vivian and Cecil Wolberton, and her sister, Susan Wheeler. She is survived by her children, Andrea Starnes (Jim) and Russell Gooch; two grandchildren, Gabrielle Gooch and Michael Starnes, a sister Celia Gebhardt (Edward) and a brother Cecil Wolberton (Carla); sister-in-law Delores Mather (Paul) and sister-in-law Judith Gooch; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home at 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow in the adjacent Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mrs. Gooch’s funeral arrangements. Her family invites you to share memories and condolences by signing an online guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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