Judy Russell Carmeli

Judy Ann Russell Carmeli, 79, of Texarkana, AR passed away on December 29, 2025 following a fifty -year battle with Type One Diabetes. After suffering the last 13 months, she is now at peace. Affectionally known as Judy, JR, Juju, and Rusty, she was born in Texarkana, AR. She was the daughter of Velma and James Russell. She graduated from Arkansas High School in 1965. While at Henderson State, she was on the Reddie Ripples swim team before transferring to Southern State where she earned a BA. Judy was a former Miss Congeniality and Beauty Queen. She had a photographic mind, with Jeopardy being her favorite TV show.

Judy met her husband, Dan, in college and were married for 59 years and were best friends for 61years. She lived in New Jersey for two years and worked at Doops Clothing Store in sales and as a model. Later they moved to Winter Haven, Florida for two years where she was a teacher and coach. She returned to Texarkana to teach at Arkansas High School for 12 years. One day she came home and told her husband that she was going to get a job that the harder she worked, the more money she would make. Judy became one of the first women stockbrokers and then retired after 25 years.

Judy loved growing tomatoes and basil so she could make Bruschetta and Caprese, learning how to cook Italian dishes from her Mother-in-Law. Judy was featured twice in the Texarkana Gazette for her cooking. Her two favorite dishes were Spaghetti Bolognese and Brown Lentil Soup with Pasta.

Judy liked to have fun, such as going on cruises. On her first cruise, she was instrumental in saving four lives when the limo she was riding in went off a 30’ seawall during nighttime hours and sank in the sea next to the cruise ship. Eight passengers were inside the limo, but unfortunately two people died.

Judy enjoyed the beach vacations where she and Dan would rent houses at Longboat Key and Bradenton, Florida every summer. Judy also enjoyed going to small concerts and socializing with the entertainers. She met with the likes of Frank Sinatra at the Sands in Atlantic City and others such as Paul Anka, The Righteous Brothers, The Four Tops and Waylon Jennings to name a few.

Judy enjoyed playing Chess and was also a great ping pong player. She would challenge her husband and two sons to see who would clean up after dinner, and of course, she never had to clean up. She was extremely proud of her two sons and enjoyed spending time with them and her four grandchildren.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Velma and James Russell, a brother, James Russell, a special uncle, Q. Russell, who helped raise her, and a wonderful loving son, Anthony Carmeli. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Dan, son, Frank

(Melinda) of Mandeville, LA, her daughter-in-law, Amy Carmeli of Texarkana, AR, four grandchildren: Gabrielle Carmeli and Ashton Carmeli of Mandeville, La, John Robert Carmeli and Joe Russell Carmeli of Texarkana, AR, nephews Doug Russell and Scott ( Mary Ann) Russell of Tampa, FL. Also, a special nephew, John ( Kally) Carmeli of Basking Ridge, NJ, a brother-in-law, David ( Joyce) Carmeli of Springhill, TN.

The family will greet friends 3 to 5P.M. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at East Funeral Home – Moores Lane, Texarkana, TX. Cremation will be under the direction of East Funeral Home. A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Foundation would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at www.eastfuneralhome