Judy Fine's Obituary
Judy Fay Shirey Fine was born June 23, 1944 to C.F. and Dimple Shirey in Homer, LA., and passed away in her hometown of Longview, TX. on January 30, 2026. Judy was a unique and gifted talent from an early age, but most importantly she was inherently kind and loving to everyone she met. She loved her parents and especially cherished her little brother Horace and her little siter Anita. The 3 siblings moved from town to town as their father ministered to various congregations and developed a strong bond that would last their lifetimes. Judy was a devout Christian, and loved the Lord with all her heart. After graduating from high school in Idabell, LA in 1951, she chose to pursue her calling to help others by becoming a teacher. Judy obtained her bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University and master’s degree in Speech Therapy from Auburn University. After graduating, Judy began her teaching career in Taylor, AR before moving to Texas where she began teaching Speech and English at Hughes Springs ISD. She quickly became a staple in her students’ lives, building relationships that would span decades. As many students would discover in the coming years, Judy was not just a teacher; she was THAT teacher- the teacher one is lucky to have whose passion, knowledge, kindness, and support sticks with you far beyond your tenure in school.
Though she was a passionate educator, many were unaware that Judy was a very gifted thespian and artist. She was offered a chance to pursue acting in off-Broadway productions coming out of college, though she ultimately chose to stay in Texas and teach. Judy was classically beautiful, and as she moved to various small Texas towns to teach she came across a scruffy oil mechanic named Pete, who, after several attempts, was lucky enough to take her out on a date. They fell deeply in love and were married on July 10, 1970. They spent several years living in Austin and other Texas cities while Pete went to school and Judy taught. Pete encouraged Judy to cultivate her artistic talents, and she began a side-career of painting beautiful pictures under the moniker “Judi Fine”. Pete would frame them, and they would sell them together at various art shows around the state. To this day many of her paintings are hanging in homes around Texas and beyond.
Judy’s family was the most important thing to her, and all her closest friends were also family. Judy’s best friend was her cousin Sandy Chrisler, in addition to her sister Anita and her husband Bruce, who was Pete’s best friend. They (and Horace and his family) spent decades together filled with laughter, fond memories, and many near death experiences that Pete and Bruce typically found themselves in. Judy and Pete loved their nieces Heather, Heidi, Jill, Kaylee and nephew Lee like their own children, and spent many years being active parts of their lives. From school functions, summer visits, sporting events, and everything else, Aunt Judy and Uncle Pete were always there for them.
After settling in Longview, TX., though they tried to have children for many years, Judy and Pete reached their mid-40’s with no success. Despite the odds, they were finally blessed with the chance to adopt and welcomed their son Mance into their lives on January 30th, 1988. There are no words to adequately describe the amount of love and happiness that existed in their small family for the next 11 years. Hearts were full, and after a hiatus from teaching to be a stay-at-home Mom until Mance went to school, Judy was offered a job as an English teacher at Pine Tree High School, where she would be known as “Ms. Fine in room 409”. She was the teacher who kids gravitated to, who would help them through personal trials, who would spend her own time and money going beyond for her students in need, and above all ensured that they were prepared for life. She led by example, and to this day, over a decade after her retirement in 2013, many students still reached out to her and Mance professing their love for her and the impact that she had on their lives. She was a one-of-a-kind teacher, and leaves a lasting legacy at Pine Tree and everywhere else she taught.
Unfortunately, life was not always perfect. The day before her birthday in 1999, Judy lost the love of her life as Pete unexpectedly passed away. Though many days were hard, especially having to raise a teenage boy as a single mom, Judy powered through the tough times with the love and resilience that made her the person she was. Judy was faithful to Jesus throughout her entire life and was a passionate Christian who leaned on Christ and her family to navigate the trials and tribulations of those years. Judy’s kindness was reciprocated by so many close friends and family who helped her and Mance through so much during those years, and she was eternally grateful to live in a community both professionally and spiritually where so many were there for her and her family.
This is not a sad ending, however. It is a beautiful, happy one. Despite numerous health issues, including surviving what was deemed as terminal cancer at one point, Judy persevered through almost 3 more decades after losing Pete. After retiring from teaching, she became a tutor at Sylvan Learning Center in Longview, where she continued to help kids grow and learn daily. They treated her like family and helped keep her mind sharp and engaged as she navigated growing older. She saw Mance marry the love of his life, Dana, and became a loving mother-in-law. Finally, in 2023, she became a grandmother to Ellis Fine. Mance, Dana, and Ellis spent many days with “Juju” and she was able to see her grandson grow to know and love her, spending ample time playing with him just two weeks before her passing. She was also joined at the hip to a very lucky Maltese named Cooper, who she loved so, so much, and spent significant time with her family and best friends Mary-Linda Tarnawa and Terri Davis, who were always there for her and who vigilantly watched over and cared for her while Mance lived in Austin. Judy left us on January 30, 2026 and passed away in her home with Cooper, just as she wanted. She will be missed more than words can express, but she leaves a legacy and an example that we can all strive to follow.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents C.F. and Dimple Shirey, her husband Pete Fine, and her brother-in-law and sister Bruce and Anita Sutton. She is survived by her son, Mance Fine, daughter-in-law Dana Fine, and grandson Ellis Fine of Round Rock, TX. Brother Horace Shirey of Magnolia, AR, nieces and nephews Cody, Heather, Cade, Samantha, and Corden Blount of Longview, Danny, Heidi, Ryann, Rylee, and Rustin Murphy of Harmony, TX., Devan and Kaylee Loftis and family of Tyler, TX., Lee Shirey of Magnolia, AR, Jill and Chris Shelby of Dallas, TX., Steve and Susie Fuller, David and Starla Bishop, Clyde and Nancy Tomlinson, Johnny Sapp, and countless other extended family and friends. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Longview on Thursday, February 5th at 10am. Burial will follow at Adkins Cemetery in Homer, LA at 2pm. Visitation will be held the night before at Rader Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 4th, from 6-8pm.
The family would like to thank everyone who was there for her, particularly everyone mentioned above, as well as Carol Pope and the rest of her co-workers at Sylvan Learning Center. In Judy’s honor, Carol has established the Judy Fine Scholarship to help subsidize the cost of tutoring for kids in need. The family asks that you donate to this scholarship in lieu of sending flowers. Donations can be made electronically on Venmo to @Carol-Pope with the note “J Fine Scholarship” and can also be mailed to: Sylvan – JFine Scholarship 913 W. Loop 281, Longview, TX. 75604
Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Longview on Thursday, February 5 at 10am, burial will follow at Adkins Cemetery in Homer, LA at 2pm. Visitation will be held the night before at the funeral home between 6 and 8pm.
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