Judith “Judy” Luella Kress Mitchell, 71, of Lacey’s Spring, loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister passed from this earthly life to her heavenly home on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, after a short illness at Huntsville Hospital. Always a giving person, she donated her body to the University of Birmingham Alabama so that future medical doctors will be able learn more about these frail earthly shells we call our bodies.
She was born in Marion, Michigan, at her parents’ home on Dec. 23, 1944, to Roy and Verda Kress, who preceded her in death. She was married to Kenneth Allan Mitchell on Feb. 19, 1966, also at her parents’ home. Judy, as she was more affectionately known, and her husband and children have called Lacey’s Spring home for over 32 years.
She is survived by her husband Kenneth; daughter, Teri Lea Mitchell Gatlin (Anthony) of Ardmore; son, Kenneth Allan Mitchell II (Valorie) of Atmore; grandsons, Kenneth Allan Mitchell, III, Daniel Cole Gatlin and Brandon Doty of St. Charles, Missouri, and granddaughter, Jorja Grace Gatlin; and brothers, Edward Kress of Davis, California, Roy Kress (Jenny) of Flushing, Michigan, and Conrad Kress (Bonnie) of Twinsburg, Ohio; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Judy was a housewife who enjoyed crafts and estate and garage sales. She is well known for her piano playing at her home church, Grace Point Baptist Church in Florette, and other churches where she attended.
There was a celebration on Saturday, Feb. 20th, to celebrate her 50th anniversary as well as her going home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, 101 Sivley Road, Huntsville, AL, 35801, in lieu of flowers or cards.
