Judy M. Orell age 69 passed away, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Life Care of Sparta after an extended illness. Born in Norwood MA. June 8, 1954, she was the daughter of Albert and Frieda Rafuse Vinson.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Stewart J. Orell of Smithville; her sister, Joyce Graf of West Bridgewater, MA. and her half-brother, Bobby Preibis of Connecticut. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her brothers, James A. Vinson and John Vinson.
She graduated High School and worked in several retail stores where she was a department manager, shipping and receiving invoice clerk, but she settled in her favorite job where she made the signs for a retail chain named Almys. Judy made them for every sale and duplicates for the whole chain of stores, long before pdf’s and computers. She could read upside down and backwards a skill she used in setting type on a manual printer. She was an artist of many crafts including crocheted afghans for every member of her family, making jewelry and loved to shower her friends with the gifts of everything she made. If you met her it wouldn’t be long before she would give you something she had made.
Judy also was an avid writer, she corresponded with extended family keeping careful notes of the current events for the lives of loved ones far away, sharing the good times as well as the bad.
Judy also loved caring for the elderly at the New Short Mtn UMC food ministry called Gods Garden. It started as a garden on her farm which she tended and help give out the food she raised. Eventually working with Feed America First she worked thousands of hours unloading, sorting and boxing food to help those less fortunate have something to eat.
She also loved her cats and it seemed every time the last cat was gone that another litter would appear into her care. They were her babies!
Judy loved the ocean and walking the beach, fishing, gospel music and so many other things.
Most importantly Judy believed in Jesus! she was full of grace and gave it as freely as she had received it.
From her husband, Stewart: I would like to thank all of the Staff that cared for Judy while she was a resident there. They showed her loving care. I want to send a special thanks to the staff of Arby’s whose kindness towards Judy was extraordinary. The shakes from Arby’s was Judy’s favorite and the staff always asked how she was doing for the last 16 months and lastly I thank the New Short Mtn UMC church family who visited and prayed for us both these last few years, they truly fulfilled the call of Christ.
Visitation with the family will be Monday, December 4, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 4, 2023 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Jeran Tenpenny officiating. Interment will follow in the Gunter-Grizzle cemetery.
Donations can by made in memory of Judy to any of these organizations, Alzheimers association of Tn., Caring Hearts United caringheartsunited@yahoo.com, Feed America First, Murfreesboro, TN.; New Short Mtn UMC
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for her family, please www.woodburyfuneralhome.net