Judy Stillings-Klimas

Our beautiful, spunky, adventurous, glamorous, Mother spread her wings and left this earth October 23, 2018 after 84 years of a life well lived and well loved by family as well as friends.  She was our rock, our guide, friend, mentor, and even critic when we needed it. She was the life, light, center and anchor of our Family for so many years.  Mom was a classy woman. She held her head high in everything she endured and was a true southern lady. She was nicknamed by her Stillings great grandchildren, “The Ancestor”, and it stuck, probably forever.  She was born as Fannie Julia Elmore and since she was teased her entire childhood she changed her name to Judy the minute she could!

She was born in Paragould, daughter to Joseph Harmon Elmore and Alura Estelle Holcomb Elmore (AKA Barney and Lura) She grew up running and playing in woods and hills around Paragould.   She attended Paragould High School and marched with the Paragould high school marching band as a Majorette. Her bull dog “Butch” was the school mascot for all the years she attended Paragould Schools.

She left behind three daughters, Nancy Hoffmann- Allison, Scherrie Hoffmann-Johnson, and Tammy Stillings-Fellows with a hell of a lot of stuff that we have no idea what to do with. Anyone looking for two royally dressed stuffed frogs, a giant TV, how about a really fluffy, pretty cat named Elvis (Pricilla already has a home), umbrella stand (we think), or slightly used toaster? How about a thousand or so cell phone cases?  You should wait the appropriate amount of time and then contact us, and tomorrow will be just fine.

Judy wore many different hats during her life, daughter, sister, mother, wife, actress (She was in several episodes of the Little Rascals at the age of 5), model, cook, school lunch lady, interior decorator, hair dresser, seamstress,   Registered Nurse, newspaper columnist, and friend. She even taught impressionable teenage girls how to cook with 7-up and Dr. Pepper (early 60’s health foods; there is even an unconfirmed rumor she interviewed with Hugh Hefner for a playboy model job (she only smiled when we asked).  Judy loved to entertain all the time, but Christmas was her favorite holiday.  She always decorated two large Christmas trees well before Thanksgiving – usually while dressed in her Halloween costume (just kidding).  She was the center of attention and the life of the party, and there was always some sort of adult beverage involved. She was also very talented. She sang, played the piano, clog danced, and an avid Bridge player.

Judy always taught her girls, “beauty before comfort” and she set the bar high. She wore stilettos up until about 10 years ago; she would still wear them today if she could, so you will all be happy to know she will be cremated with the highest heels we can find.  We tried to dress her Katherine Hepburn style for her grand exit and we hope we did her proud.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Barney and Lura Elmore, her son Michael Joe Hoffmann, her two sisters Debbie Elmore Holland and Sue Elmore Tally and husbands,  Lester Eli Hoffmann, Orland Crail, Hal T. Stillings (aka Pop), and Walter Klimas, each one a special and important part of her life (where did she find the time??).

Judy is survived by so many family members and friends whom she loved so much including her sister, Jody Finch, her children, Nancy (Bob) Hoffmann-Allison, Scherrie (Ronnie) Johnson, Tammy (Tim) Fellows, Hal Gary (Mary Ann) Stillings, Sherry (Durwood) Cushing, Craig (Christine) Stillings, Mark (Teresa) Stillings, grandchildren,  Rachael (Tyrone) Warren , Kalab (Dena) Hoffmann Tye, Cody (Katie) Allison, Kyler (Fallon) Allison, Chancy Law, Tracee (Kirk) Morrow, Mikki Garalde, Jessica Grosso, Jacob Grosso, Rohm (Wanda) Stillings, Leah (John) Flowers, Teah (Scott) Weiss, Christian (Jamie) Stillings, Parrish (Jim)Whalen, Jimmi Lyn Standley, Ginger (John) Dohogne, Owen Stillings, Matthew Stillings, Bryan (Jennifer) Stillings, Lauren Stillings, great-grandchildren, Taylor Clark, Nikko Morrow, Lauren Morrow, Heather (Kevin)Pertuis, Savannah (Skye) Morgan , Cody Morgan , Violet Camacho, Hunter Tye, and Sade Tye, Gage Fellows, Chase Fellows, Ryan Christian Stillings, William Thomas (Zoe) Stillings, Amanda (Ryan) Bell, Rohm (Mary) Stillings, Leslie Flowers, John Weiss, Haley Stillings, Erin Stillings, Kayla (Cody) Hand, Kollin McKnatt, Stacey (Jon) Young, Megan (Shannon) Brock and many more great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and life-long friends.