On June 22, 2022, a celebration began as the gates of Heaven swung wide open to welcome a good and faithful servant, Judy Mae Roper. She received her gold crown to match the heart of gold she had on earth. She was greeted by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was embraced by her mama and daddy, Wayne and Nelle Cox and her and father by love and marriage; Egbert Roper. Also waiting on her was her big brother, Joe Lane Cox and sweet little Granny Mae Moss, that she was named after. The never ending celebration included these loved ones she had longed to see…Doug and Jane Cox, Herbert and Sara Roper, Jake and Deanna Mullinax and Heaven’s newest member, her niece, Jill Reeves (that no doubt asked if she brought her some of that lemon pie~ she was famous for). If you listen closely, you can almost hear the sounds of home…so much laughter and joy!
Judy was the same every time you saw her, an evergreen, never changing. You could always count on her, no matter what. She ALWAYS showed up- ballgames, birthdays, baby showers, church, funerals, dinners, just if she knew you needed her. She was often described as “tough as a bull” and sometimes stubborn as one but no one had more love and life to give than her. When she loved you, she loved you fiercely and unconditionally. She was so strong that even when doctors gave up hope, she kept fighting the good fight. She was not a woman of many words, like her daddy Wayne, and also like him, truly a peacemaker and the best secret keeper. When you told her something, you knew it wouldn’t go any further.
She was a loyal employee and worked many years for the Cumming Hospital and Ambulance service where she was an expert in medical billing and coding. She was a member and servant of Silver City Baptist church, joining during Summer revival of 2018 with her sisters Fran and Dee. “The Cox girls” were inseparable. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow and loved beautiful flowers. She was an excellent cook and no one could match how perfect she ironed a pair of pants or her love for clothes, always dressed to the 9’s. While she may have been a fashionista, her humble heart made her a virtuous woman of many gifts and many talents that she shared with everyone.
Judy and Lamar started their life together on July 16th, 1968. She was a devoted wife for 53 years and Lamar stayed true to his vow to love her in sickness and in health and cared for her until she took her last breath on this side. God blessed them with two sons Terry and Matthew and later in life they received two daughters by love; Brenda and Shelly. Then came the “grandest” blessings: Austin, Kaitlyn, Kassie, Karrie and Kyle. Finally having a girl, shopping adventures and cooking lessons never ended with the granddaughters and she would travel the earth to see every game played by the boys. Proud was an understatement. The “greatest” treasures were soon added to the family: Katie Nelle, Haven and Ivy.
She also leaves behind her mother-in-law Mary Lou Roper, sisters (her best friends and Hens) that she loved and will miss her dearly- Joyce, Fran & Anita and her baby brother Greg, along with her brothers and sisters by love Judy Cox, Hugh Smith, Ralph Gravitt, Kaye Cox, Andrew Bearden, Thomas & Diane Mims, Wayne & Becky Roper, Dennis & Pam Roper and Mike & Linda Gail Sietz.
Her nieces and nephews that she has always loved and treated as her own: Joy, Julie, Donna, David, Mitchell, Susan, Rodney, Jennifer, Natalie, Ben, Michael, Casey, her boys Cody, Mason, Connor, Brock and her “Chicks”- Kristi and Candice.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”- Matthew 5:9
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Russell Burt, Rev. Terry Cowart and Rev. Rudy Tribble will officiate. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Gardens.
The family will receive friends Friday from 3 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
