Judy, 80 years old, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, after battling cancer & heart disease for many years. She was blessed to spend her last months in the beautiful state of Alaska. Judy did not particularly like the cold, but she loved the majestic mountains & the people. She was an incredibly special lady and a prayer warrior, who impacted many lives.
Judy was born to Jack & Edith Wright, in Dewey, Oklahoma, on September 30, 1940. She started taking piano lessons at a young age & begin playing for the Salvation Army Church that her family attended, at the age of 12. Her Dad’s job brought them to Orange, Texas when she was about 16. She continued her piano playing up until she got married at the age of 20. She also sang in her church choir up until the last few years. Judy had such a passion for music. She even played the piano for the Chatanika service up until about a month before she died. She will be dearly missed by all who knew & loved her.
Judy is survived by her children, Russell Gunstream (wife Yoke Wan) of El Paso, TX, Becky Gunstream of Grenada, MS, Deana Smoot (husband Nathan) of Chatanika, AK, and Scott Gunstream (wife Paula) of Orange, TX. She is also survived by five grandsons, Cody Anglea of Memphis, TN, Nathan Lee Smoot of Fairbanks, AK, Andrew and Paul Smoot of Chatanika, AK, and Joshua Gunstream of El Paso, TX, and her brother Jack Russell Wright Jr. (wife Cheryl) of Grove Hill, AL. Judy was also survived by all her nieces and nephew, with whom she was very close to & loved dearly.
The funeral service was held in North Pole, Alaska on Friday, March 26, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. Alaska time. The service took place at Badger Road Baptist Church and the burial followed at the Alaska Baptist Cemetery. There will be a Memorial Service at First Baptist Church, Orange, Texas, on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Online condolences can be made at blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com
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