Judith Elaine NELSON

1948 - 2016

NELSON, Judith Elaine
(Judy Clark)
Judith Elaine Nelson (Judy Clark), 68, former resident of Amarillo, died in Austin on June 18, 2016 after a massive stroke. A graduate of Amarillo High School, Judy will be remembered as a musician who could move you to joy or tears: harmonizing with sister Dorothy; alone on the stage with her bari uke Benjamin (easier to move than that old upright piano); filling the stage with The Last Chance Band; writing songs so personal and emotional; jamming with musicians of every genre in Amarillo and Austin and beyond. Her first foray into the music scene was in Canyon, TX at a coffee house called Stanyon Street, around 1965. Thus began a lifetime of performing, recording and great camaraderie with other musicians. Her voice was full of blues and jazz and hillbilly honky-tonk. She had a massive repertoire and would surprise us with the most obscure songs.

There was so much fun, watching the Simpsons and Futurama (her favorite), playing Trivial Pursuit with friends around the kitchen table for HOURS. Mickey Mouse stickers and coffee filters, New Years' bashes to start the year off right, and music, music, music. Singer and songwriter, she simply loved music. She also loved her family and her friends. The unofficial historian and memory bank of all things past, she would often reminisce, recalling those "halcyon days of yore." Those who will miss her humor and her conversation include Elmo Smith, husband; Andrew Smith, son; Dorothy Browning and Jeanette Moeller, sisters; Richard Nelson, brother; and numerous relatives and friends. We'd like to list them all, but she was the one who remembered all the people and all the stories.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752 with burial to follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78735. In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass in honor of a life well lived.