Judith Strawn Benge Thomas' Obituary
Judith Strawn Benge Thomas, 71, of Longview, Texas, passed away on April 9, 2017, in Kerrville, Texas. She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Herman S. and Mamie Jo Benge on January 12, 1946. She married Dub Thomas on August 7, 1971, in Weatherford, Texas.
Judy graduated from W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi in 1964. She went on to graduate from A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She then taught 7th grade English for Flower Bluff ISD for 3 years. After marrying Dub, moving to Longview, and starting a family, she began working at Rainbow Place Pre-School in Spring Hill. She was hired to teach the Pre-K 4 year old class, and after 1 year she became the director of the pre-school. She remained in that roll for the next 14 years, touching the lives of countless children and families. She went on to work for the State of Texas in the Protective and Regulatory Department as a Childcare Licensing Inspector for 8 years. Thereafter, she worked as the director of the pre-school that was part of First Baptist Church, Longview, Texas, for 3 years. She retired in the spring of 2011 and moved with Dub to Kerrville, Texas.
Judy had been a member of First Baptist Church since moving to Longview, and taught 2nd grade Sunday school there for nearly 30 years. Sharing Jesus with children was one of her great joys, and being a Godly mother was her greatest endeavor.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, and her half-sister, Evelyn of Farmington, New Mexico.
Judy is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dub Thomas, her son Alan J. Thomas and wife Jessica, her daughter Amy Joanne Wooten and husband Christopher, her daughter Amanda Jane Jackson and husband Matthew, her son Andrew J. Thomas and wife Claire, and her 5 precious grandchildren Anderson J. Thomas, Lauren J. Wooten, Nolan P. Thomas, Abel T. Jackson, and Emma B. Thomas.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Rader Funeral Home, 800 Kilgore Dr, Henderson, Texas 75652. Funeral services and burial will be held following the visitation at Rusk County Memorial Gardens, Henderson, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Anderson J. Thomas, Andrew J. Thomas, Matthew Jackson, Christopher Wooten, Alan J. Thomas, and Jeff Wooten.
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