MAHOMET — Judith E. Valentine Harris, 84, of Mahomet joined her loved ones who were waiting to welcome her to her eternal home on F r i d a y , June 21, 2024, at Carle Hospital, Urbana, with her best friend at her side.
Services will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 402 S. Elm Street, Mahomet, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and an Eastern Star funeral service provided by Hope Chapter Order of the Eastern Star at 12:45p.m., followed by a funeral service with Pastor Bruce Swartz officiating. Interment will be in Ingram Cemetery, Wagon Wheel Road, White Heath.
Judy was born Jan. 10, 1940, in White Heath to Verna E. Hassinger Valentine and Gerald J. Valentine. She attended Monticello High School. She married Robert D. Harris on June 9, 1957. He died October 28, 2005. They had two children, Tamara J. Harris and Gerald D. Harris.
She was predeceased by her parents, both children, two sisters and an infant brother.
She is survived by two grandchildren, Lee A. (Heather) Walters of Summertown Tenn., and Danielle Walters of Elwood, Ind.; nine great- grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; two nieces, Kathy (Dan) Thomas of Hanover, Pa., and Louella Bishop of Urbana; many cousins; and her “guardian angel,” Doris Lawyer of Champaign.
She treasured the time she got to spend with her grandchildren, whether in person, by phone or sharing pictures on Facebook.
Judy and Bob owned and operated Upholstery Specialists of Champaign for 35 years, where her eye for color and design and sewing skills were put to good use!
Judy never met a stranger, always had a smile on her face and a great sense of humor. Her memories of riding motorcycles across the United States with friends brought her great joy.
She also had a special love for children of all ages. She worked with drug-prevention program “Hugs Not Drugs,” meeting with gradeschool kids around the state, and loved to recount her escapades while dressed as a 6-foot bear; she also drove a school bus and worked as a custodian in the Mahomet school district until retirement. She loved music and had a beautiful voice.
In 2017, Judy moved to The Glenwood Assisted Living in Mahomet. There she started an exercise program, led sing-a-longs, headed up arts-and-crafts projects, called bingo and redecorated the building for each holiday and season. Judy loved to crochet and made countless blankets, shawls and hats for infants in neonatal intensive- care units.
Judy was a 55-year member of First Baptist Church in Mahomet, where she taught Sunday school and led a children’s choir, and she started a summer Bible school program at Candlewood Estates that continues today.
She is a 48-year member of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in Mecca Chapter and Hope Chapter, Urbana. A highlight of her life was being appointed as Grand Representative of Kansas in Illinois in 2007.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at The Glenwood for providing such love and care and the Grand Lodge of Illinois’ Illinois Masonic Outreach Services for their assistance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to First Baptist Church of Mahomet, 402 S. Elm St., Mahomet, IL 61853; Order of the Eastern Star, Educational Trust Fund, P.O. Box 317, Macon, IL 62544; or The Grand Lodge of Illinois, Attn: IMOS Program, 2866 Via Verde, Springfield, IL 62703. Morgan Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome. com.
NG 6/24/2024
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