Judith Cleo Nobles

Judith Cleo Nobles, known as Judy, peacefully passed from this realm on March 18, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of eighty-two; having spent the few days before, surrounded by her treasured family. Judy was born to her parents, Cleo Ward and John Irvin Ward, joining her older sister, Sonja, in Modesto, California, on July 11, 1941. A few years later, her younger sister, Joan, was born into their small family. Judy lived her entire life in Modesto, graduating from Oroville Wright Elementary, Roosevelt Middle, and Thomas Downey High Schools.

At the age of sixteen, she met the love of her life, Ralph Nobles, then eighteen years of age, at a roller skating activity sponsored by Santa Cruz Avenue Baptist Church. They were married at the same church on Saturday, October 3, 1959. After nearly sixty-seven years together, their unwaveringly deep love and respect for each other was glaringly evident to any that had the pleasure of knowing them or even just meeting them casually. After the births of their daughters, Tara and Gina, their family was complete.

Judy was an exceptional example of a hard working, giving, and loving person. She started work at the age of eleven, cutting fruit for drying at a local farm. While she worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office, after the birth of her children she focused on making a happy and comfortable home for her husband and children. She volunteered in her daughters’ classrooms and at their schools. Later, she continued this tradition at Dent Elementary School in Escalon, volunteering in the classroom where her daughter, Tara, taught; and, along with Ralph, in their grandsons’ classrooms. She helped her husband with Jaycee Christmas shopping for those in need, shared in adopting families at Christmas time with Tara, and also volunteered as a member of Orangeburg Baptist Church. She was quite the artist and life-long learner; taking lapidary with Ralph, cake decorating, florist classes and even a golf class, with Tara, through Modesto Junior College. She particularly enjoyed sharing her life skills with her daughters and grandchildren. As her daughters grew older, she worked in a florist shop and as a teller at Central Bank/Bank of the West. She was an avid reader, loved to paint with acrylics, plan parties, play Bunco, attend Red Hat functions, and go to the theater. She had many friends and never hesitated to make more. However, among her most memorable moments were those that she spent with her family and traveling with her husband. Many a Thanksgiving, a weekend, or a vacation were spent at the family cabin in Cold Springs, camping at the ocean, four-wheeling, climbing the dunes in sand buggies, fishing, and RVing. She and Ralph had the opportunities to cruise Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico and also traveled to Europe. After Ralph retired, they took all three of their grandchildren on trips in the RV. Recently, her granddaughter asked what her favorite all time memory was. Gramma Judy proudly replied, “The birth of each of my grandchildren! I was the first one to touch them!”

Judy is survived by her dear husband, Ralph Nobles; her two daughters, Tara Jones (Mike) of Escalon, CA, and Gina Meldrum of Modesto; her three precious grandchildren, Tabitha Meldrum of Modesto, Thomas Jones of Modesto, and Keven Jones of Vashon Island, WA; her sister Sonja Reeves of Yerington, NV; her beloved nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents John Ward and Cleo Mabry, and her younger sister, Joan Criswell. While she will be greatly missed by those of us who temporarily remain behind, we know that she was greeted back to her Heavenly home by those who loved her; and we know that she will be there to greet us upon our own returns.

A graveside service will be held for immediate family on the morning of Friday, March 29, 2024. In lieu of flowers, in appreciation for their respectful and loving care during Judy’s last moments, donations may be made to: Bristol Hospice (1101 Sylvan Avenue, Suite B10, Modesto, CA, 95350)