Judith Ann Nelson

1951 - 2015

Judith Ann Nelson, 64 of Lexington passed away on Thursday March 12, 2015 at her residence. Another angel made it to paradise. Judy was born January 26, 1951 in Bloomington, IL to a pair of hard working, ever loving parents, William H. and Eva J. Steigberger Jordine.
On June 28, 1969, Judy married her Prince Charming, the young, strong, and handsome Marine, William T. Nelson. Judy and Bill were inseparable for 45+ years. Words can't describe the love they shared. The pair produced three extremely handsome children, Christopher and Timothy (Lori) Nelson of Bloomington, and Cory (Theresa) Nelson of Heyworth.
Judy never had the "girl" she wanted, so her three boys went to work. They gave Judy 8 beautiful granddaughters, as well as a couple handsome grandsons. Nicole, Crystal, Hailey, Tyler, Kylee, Amber, Ashlee, Alexis, Mackenzie and Gage, as well as one great grandson, Carter Martinez, were all so blessed to have Granny in their lives. Each one held a very special place in Judy's big heart!
She is also survived by one older sister Irma Jackson of Bloomington. Judy was preceded in death by her parents. She is certainly busy in heaven right now telling them all about her grandbabies!
Spending time with her family brought more joy and happiness to Judy than anything in this world. Judy loved just sitting on the couch chatting with family. Judy loved having the grandkids over for frequent sleepovers. She loved baking Christmas cookies with the grandkids every year. A couple years ago she started a new "Sunday Family Dinner" tradition. Nothing put a bigger smile on her face than seeing her entire family sitting around the dinner table enjoying her world famous cooking.
Judy counted down the days until her retirement from Illinois State University in 2011. Her mother (and best friend) Eva, passed away suddenly at 65, so Judy didn't have any expectations to live longer than her. She didn't want to waste one second of her unfortunately short retirement.
She loved vacationing with her family. Some of the places she visited with her family in recent years include: Washington DC, Florida, Disney World, New York, California, New Orleans, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, and the entire Caribbean. She took a special liking to cruising. Judy's favorite vacation was undoubtedly in 2005. She took her whole family on a Caribbean cruise. Sitting on a white sand beach, sipping a Blue Lagoon while watching her kids play in the ocean would be a perfect day for Judy. At the time of her passing, Judy had her next 5 vacations already scheduled.
Judy loved gardening and sharing her home grown vegetables. She loved making cards and scrapbooking with the grandkids in her "craft room". She loved watching MJ's Bulls win the six titles in the 90s with her boys. She loved watching her grandchildren participate in their sports of softball, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and football. She loved "reality tv" and watched many of the shows religiously.
Judy loved living life. She had a huge impact on the lives of everyone she touched. Friends and family that knew Judy could describe her easily... She was the Best Friend, Wife, Mother and Granny that ever walked this planet.
Funeral service for Judith will be 10 am, Thursday March 19, at Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington, IL. Pastor Danny McCubbins will officiate.
There will be a visitation 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday March 18, at the Memorial Home. Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington.
Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.