Judy Ann Strother

life devoted to serving others.

Judy was born on February 17, 1940, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Frank and Anna Craft. She was raised in Tulsa alongside her brothers, Buster and Paul, in a home where faith, family, and strong values formed the foundation of daily life. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School and later attended Bethany Nazarene College, where she met the love of her life, Doyle Gene Strother. Their meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership rooted in devotion to one another and to their shared faith in Christ.

Judy and Doyle were married on April 4, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service to their community. After a brief time in Ardmore, Oklahoma, they eventually settled in the Pasadena and Deer Park areas of Texas, where they raised their five children—Jana, Lori, Lisa, Jeff, and Jaime. Judy devoted herself wholeheartedly to her role as a wife and mother, nurturing her home with love, grace, and steadfast commitment.

A gifted seamstress and homemaker, Judy expressed her creativity through the many garments and quilts she lovingly crafted. She made dresses for herself and her daughters when they were young and later delighted in creating special holiday dresses for her

granddaughters. Her quilting became a treasured tradition within the family, as she lovingly stitched baby quilts for grandchildren and great-grandchildren—each one a tangible expression of her care and devotion. These quilts remain cherished reminders of her enduring love.

Faith was the cornerstone of Judy’s life. Her relationship with Christ guided her actions, shaped her character, and inspired her service to others. She was a faithful member of Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene, where she sang in the church choir for many years,

lifting her voice in praise and worship. Later, she became an active member of First Baptist Church of Pasadena, where she continued singing in the choir and enjoyed the meaningful fellowship of her Sunday School class. Judy deeply valued her church community and the friendships formed through years of shared faith and worship.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Craft (1945); her father, Frank Craft (1979); her beloved husband, Doyle Gene Strother (2002); her brothers, Paul Craft and Buster Craft; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Raymond and Glenda Strother.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Craft and Wanda Craft of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and by her five children: Jana Michael (Greg), Lori Bedrich (Bob), Lisa Banister, Jeff Strother, and Jamie Strother. Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren—Meagan (Jeremy), Jordan (Kristen), Lincoln (Tiffany), Taylor (Zane), Michael (Stacie), Kirby, Laurel, Larkin (Robert), Lauren (Caleb), Leah, Ethan (Jennifer), Connor (Carlos), and Landon (Shelby)—as well as her 23 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews who were touched by her kindness and warmth.

Judy will be remembered as a woman of steadfast faith, a devoted wife and mother, and a loving grandmother whose life reflected grace, humility, and generosity. Her home was always a place of welcome, her voice lifted often in song, and her hands constantly at work caring for those she loved.

While her family grieves her loss, they find comfort in the assurance of her faith and the promise of eternal life. Judy’s legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured, the faith she demonstrated, and the love she freely gave.

Her life stands as a testament to the power of faith, the strength of family, and the enduring beauty of a life lived in service to God and others.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church-Pasadena, located at 7500 Fairmont Parkway on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 10:00 am.