Judith Ann Brown Heller, ‘Judy’, completed her journey of 70 years, here on this earth on August 26, 2017. She jettisoned this life and moved from her beautiful blue bedroom in our family home in Bay City, Texas - to be welcomed by her Savior, Jesus Christ and our Mother and Daddy. In her eternal Home in Heaven, her beautiful mansion, prepared for her by God, Himself.

Judy was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 13, 1947 as the second daughter of Albert Carroll Brown, Sr. and Emogene Latham Brown. She traveled home from St. Joseph Hospital on her first automobile ride in the "Baby Orchid Ambulance," Monday afternoon, May 19, 1947 with her Mother and Daddy. They were delivered to their home at 1112 Bessie Street. Daddy proudly paid $5 to give his precious little girl this special "baby-ride-home" service. Judy grew up in Fort Worth, Big Spring, and Bay City, Texas, where she graduated High School along with a host of friends. Many of you are here today to celebrate her life with her family. Judy attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, and then married the love of her life, Henry Lawrence Heller, who preceded her in death. As an adult, desirous of falling into her mother's footsteps as a nurse, Judy returned to college and received her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from San Jacinto College in 1992 at the age of 45. She held a license from the State of Texas as a Registered Nurse and served her profession well as a Critical Care Nurse, a Life Flight Nurse, an Industrial Nurse, and a Hospice Nurse. 

Judy loved the Lord and was continually in awe of the amazing world He created. She loved to see the beauty of nature, and especially loved animals of all types. Most especially, she loved dogs. Jody had lifelong friends in her dogs. Her precious poodle, Josette Michelle, and in later life, a beautiful Cocker Spaniel, Reagan Renee. Reagan was her constant companion through many tough medical challenges and Judy gained comfort from her beloved best friend. Judy loved helping people, and did so whenever she could. She shared her life and meager means with others, helping them even when she had little herself. She extended her hand of help and generosity to many. Judy never met a stranger and was a dear friend to all who knew her.

Judy passionately loved her family. She missed her parents and her grandparents fiercely and longed to see them again. She has been reunited with them now and is likely 'catching them up' on all of our lives. Sibling lunches, as we like to call them, were always complete when Judy was well enough to join in. We'd meet in a cafe in between where we all live here in Texas and laugh and talk for longer than we should have. Judy loved her nephews and nieces dearly, took every opportunity to spend even a few minutes with them, and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

Judy had a true servant's heart. She was often found in her retirement years volunteering to stuff bulletins at church or sing in the choir. She loved her church, her pastor, and most especially her girlfriends, Adelle, Anna June, Mary Sue, Della Jo, Mary Jane, Betty & Linda, Peggy, Sharilyn & Judy and BJ & Glenda and so many more. Judy loved you like sisters. You hung with her to the very end. Caring for her unconditionally. She was JB to you. And you were her life. She came back home to Bay City to be with you and was blessed by your love.

The years of fighting cancer and many other physical conditions took a toll on Judy's body, but her spirit seemed to soar in the mist of it. Her smile was contagious, her strength unequaled, and her joy and laughter a testimony of the Christ that lived in her. Judy said in her last months that she could handle all the other illnesses that she had battled throughout her life since she was a very young child, but that Alzheimer's scared her. It was in fact, the very disease that she could not beat. She beat cancer, heart disease, and so much more with the strength of the Lord and the power of prayer. But when God's days for Judy were complete, and she lifted her weakened hands toward heaven, although the dreaded mind-killer had taken her body, she still knew us and left us with her love. Judy was a prayer partner unequaled for us all. Those prayers go on today, but now, she stands in the presence of the Christ to whom she prays. She is asking Him today to give us comfort. And He has. Our Judy is greatly missed.

Judy is survived by her brother, Albert Carroll Brown, Jr. and wife Louise; Sisters, Betty Gene Brown Vacek & husband Eddie, and Lynnette Brown Johnson Anthony & husband Clifford Charles. Nephews Mike and Tim Johnson and wives Leanne & Courtney. Nieces Joanne Brown, Crystal Ames, Tommie Kay Wilson, Kim Wilson & husband Dalwane. Along with many great-nieces, great-nephews, one dear uncle, many cousins and many, many dear friends. Our dearest Aunt Jane followed Judy to heaven just 11 days later on September 6th. Their reunion was surely sweet.

Judy's family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to our extended family and friends for their love and support during this difficult time. You have eased our burden.

Judy's love for nursing, nurses and the medical community moved her to will her body to be studied by the nursing school at the University of Texas in Houston. Many nursing students will benefit by Judy's generous heart and desire to be used as a vessel in the quest for medical healing.

Judy loved flowers but her generous heart would tell us to help those in need. Please honor Judy's heart of generosity and make your remembrances to the Scholarship Fund for Graduates or the Music Department of First Baptist Church, Bay City, TX. Or to benefit Alzheimer's Disease research through brightfocus.org or by calling 800-437-2423.

There will be a Celebration of Judy’s Life at the First Baptist Church of Bay City on Saturday, September 30 at 12:30 PM.

This life story if from Judy's funeral program.