Judy Joyner Nelms Horchler

Judy Joyner Nelms Horchler, 73, left this world on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 after a two-year battle with cancer. Born February 4, 1942 to John Luther and Effie Mae Joyner, she was the 13th of 14 children and grew up at the family farm off Bend of the River Road in Rocky Mount, NC. She spent many of her younger years working the farm, putting in tobacco, gardening, and picking cotton. Judy married John Nelms in 1959 and later graduated from West Edgecombe High in 1962. They had 8 children during 37 years of marriage. At the age of 49, Judy enrolled in the Certified Nurses Assistant program at Nash Community College and cared for residents at Nash Grove Manor, South Village and Autumn Care for over 20 years until her retirement at age 71. Judy led the family singing group as a soprano and writer of some of their songs and also preached when the family traveled all over the south sharing in prisons, nursing homes, churches, and singing competitions. She was a star basketball player, dancer, great word-puzzler, and fierce fisherwoman, once snagging a 10-pound bass. Just a few months before her death, she made one last fishing trip to Florida with her loving companion, Ted Brooks. Mama Judy, as she was affectionately called, will be especially remembered for her quick wit, love for family, spunk, wonderful sense of humor, generous heart, unwavering strength in the face of adversity, ability to see the best in others, and kindness to everyone she met. Those blessed to have known her will feel the depth and grace of her presence long after she is gone. Her life touched those around her in deeper ways than words could ever express. She is survived by three brothers and three sisters, seven children, Cindy (Chris) Rose, Jeff Nelms, Delores Nelms, David (Janet) Nelms, Elizabeth (Randy) Pridgen, Jenny (Reverend Chad) Wheeler, Melissa (Daniel) Cooke, 13 grandchildren: Samantha, Christopher and Chelsea Rose, Justin and Nicole Nelms, Rebecca (Garrett Fullington), Rachael and Leah Yenney, Derek and Holly Nelms, Chase Wheeler, Isaiah and Savanna Cooke, and one great-grandson, Keason Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents, son John Thomas Nelms (1975), husband of 37 years, John Allen Nelms (1997), and husband of six years, Ken Horchler (2004), five sisters and two brothers. A celebration of Judys life will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Nashville with Rev. Steve Edmondson officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the service and gathering immediately following. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions are requested in lieu of flowers and should be donated to Relay For Life of Nash County. The family would like to give their sincere gratitude to staff and volunteers of Community Hospice for their help and support. On-line condolences may be sent to the Judy Nelms Horchler family by visiting www.cornerstonefuneralhomeandcremations.com Arrangements are entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home and Cremations, 1052 South First Street, Nashville, NC 27856