Judy Ann (Kline) Easterly

Judy/Mama/Granny went home to the Lord on a grey, cool Thursday morning. She was a woman of great vibrance, joy and faith. Growing up in a large family in Warren, Ohio, she was the oldest of seven. Her stories of ‘home’ were precious, funny, cheeky and, when all is said and done, to be envied. She had a delightful childhood and family home that she carried with her all her life.

She met her husband Kirby in Cleveland, Ohio, while he was demobilizing from the army. She had taken secretarial courses and was at her first job. They fell in love, married, moved to California for his work and two children followed, Noveleen and Kirby II. The charms of California could not hold them from a return to Kirby’s hometown in Brownsville, Texas.

Kirby worked in the shrimping industry for several years, as Judy raised the family. South Texas was quite a change from Ohio in climate, culture, food, language and more. Typical of her fearless, joyful, positive disposition she made life work, through the many challenges that it can bring to a marriage. Through it all her faith grew, being sustained and grounded by her infectious love and hope in God.

As the children grew Judy went back to work at Hagar slacks, a local canning plant and later as a secretarial dispatcher for Aqua Slide and Dive. She was a member of Aglow and Church of the Good Shepherd from its early days on Boca Chica via Elizabeth Street to Morrison Road. She was part of Mabel’s powerful intercessory group that sustained the church and its mission work.

Her home at Indian Lake was often the center of family anniversaries and birthday celebrations. Her sense of humor was legendary to all who knew her. In retirement she enjoyed traveling to Florida, Kansas and Ohio to visit her family. She kept fit by riding a motorcycle, dancing and drama to stay ever young. She loved being with her children and was always a ‘hands-on’ Granny to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who thought of her as, ‘the best Granny ever!’

Judy Ann Kline Easterly (JJ for Judy Joy at Aqua Slide) was a worshipper, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who brought her love and joy of life in the Lord to every person and home she visited from South Texas to Ohio, from Florida to England and Germany. She was and is still a treasure to all who knew her.

Judy Ann is survived by her daughter, Noveleen Lewis (Andreas); her son, Kirby Easterly II (Teresa); her grandchildren, Nathanael Lewis (Marisol), Elizabeth Lawani (Hassan), Barnabas Lewis (Ashley), Brandon Easterly (Tye) and Jennifer Easterly. She is also survived by her siblings, Jeralee Spahlinger, Karen Connor (Erista), Faye Spahlinger (Bob), Jerry Kline (Gloria) and Lori Kline; and her great-grandchildren, Pauly Rose, Austin, Amina, Augustus, Scott, Noah, Sloan, Nolah, Ava, and Jacob.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Kline and Wilma Stone Kline; her former husband, Kirby Easterly; her brother-in-law, Fred Spahlinger (Jeralee); and her sister, Leta Brunstetter (Harold).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, 125 Mcdavitt Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78521, on April 18, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Judy Ann Easterly will be deeply missed and respectfully remembered for the love she gave, the faith she lived, and the lasting impact of her steady, caring spirit.