Judy Arnold Young was born as the lumber mill whistle blew at 4 o’clock in the morning on March 8, 1950, in Neshoba County, Mississippi. She was known as Momma to Kathy, Karen, and Hayes, and called Granna by Hannah and Haleigh. Judy was maybe best known as Mrs. Young to hundreds of people who found her passion for teaching inspiring. And to Bill, her husband of 47 years, she was known as “my beautiful wife.” Our precious Judy was called home early on September 3, 2021. We hope her beloved pup Henry showed her the way.
After beginning her career in education as a teacher’s assistant in her 30s, Judy went back to school herself, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at the age of 41. Her perseverance that led to over 30 years as an educator was inspiring. Her love of learning continued after earning her degree and she became a National Board Certified Teacher as well as a presenter on hands-on learning at National Science Teachers Association conferences. Many of us who knew and loved Judy might remember her love of science and nature, working with the Pearl Urban Forestry Board for many years on the Arbor Day projects. She was also an artist, an adventurous traveler, and a friend to many trees and animals over the years. We hope we all also remember her with a heart of gold and a seemingly endless well of caring for others.
Judy is preceded in death by her father, Ray Arnold, and is survived by her mother, Bessie Arnold, her husband, Bill, her children, Kathy Brown (Greg), Karen Young, and Hayes Young, her granddaughters Hannah Beard (Tyler) and Haleigh Collins (Alex), and brother, Terry Arnold (Ellen) and his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judy’s honor to the Pearl Educational Foundation for Excellence.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, September, 7, 2021, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
