JULIA LEE SHANKEN

SHANKEN, JULIA (JUDY) LEE - 68, of Loudon, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, May 01, 2014, at Park West Hospital. She was born August 21, 1945, Big Springs, Texas. As a military child she lived in the United States, Japan and England, finally settling in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. She married the love of her life, Robert B. Shanken, April 21, 1965, and enjoyed a happy and full life. Throughout her life, she was an honest, caring, dedicated, and compassionate person, displaying an amazing balance of humor, wit, and concern for others including her pets. Judy was an amazing cook and known for her special meals. With so many attributes that defined her and the determination she possessed, she was able to step up to any challenge with strength, teaching her family valuable lessons of integrity, hard work and love. Judy was an incredible individual who loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and dogs. Her family was never far from her thoughts. Throughout her lifetime she worked in restaurant management, with the humane society, and later became involved with the Schipperke Club of America rescue. She always loved helping dogs and advocated for the better treatment of animals. She also trained and showed Schipperkes and at one time had the third and tenth ranked dogs in the world. A life taken too soon, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a friend; so many faces, so many needs, so many tears shed of happiness and sadness. She will be deeply missed by all of those who loved and knew her. Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear, Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Louis H. and Julia C. Smith Jr. She is survived by her beloved husband, Bob Shanken; her children, James Shanken (Brigitte), Melissa Shanken, and Richard Shanken (Tonya); ten grandchildren, Brian Shanken, Jessica Shanken, Michelle Roberts, Christopher Routh, Andrew Routh, Dakota Slabinski, Courtney Slabinski, Abagail Shanken, Samuel Shanken, Savannah Garvie; sisters, Patricia Hoebeek (Hans), Anne Conte (Chet); brother, Louis H. Smith III (Cherry); and many nieces and nephews. Services honoring and remembering Judy will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 12th, McGill-Karnes Chapel, Rev. Walt Simmerman officiating. Interment will follow in Loudon County Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers are Jimmy Shanken, Richard Shanken, Brian Shanken, Christopher Routh, Andrew Routh, and Mark Miller. Contributions in Judy's memory may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607. The family will receive friends 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Saturday, prior to the service at McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon.www.mcgillkarnes.com