Ruth Judd

January 31, 2018 marked the peaceful passing of Ruth Garcia Judd after a nearly 10 year battle with breast cancer. Despite challenges associated with her illness, she remained loving, patient, and filled with gratitude. She fulfilled her earthly mission surrounded by family, having touched many by her strong faith and courageous example.

Ruth was born in April, 1966 in Winfield, Illinois (just outside Chicago). She attended elementary and middle school in both McAllen, Texas and Addison, Illinois. She grew up a big Cubs fan and was tickled pink to see them capture the World Series championship in 2016. She was very smart and in 1986, a month after her 20th birthday, graduated from the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in Economics and Marketing only three years after her high school graduation from McAllen High. She loved UT and especially working as an orientation advisor and as a resident assistant at Kinsolving dorms.

Shortly after graduation, she married the love of her life, J. McKay Judd in the Dallas Texas LDS Temple. Together they worked and lived in Provo, Utah; Austin, Houston, Bryan, and Carrollton, Texas; and Goldsboro, North Carolina before settling in McKinney, Texas in 1996 to raise their family.

Ruth loved life and had a great sense of humor, which she passed on to her children; who would often make her laugh until she cried, with their witty remarks or funny voices. She supported her kids in all their school activities, whether academic, athletic, or dramatic and was their best advocate - teaching them to do the same for themselves.

Ruth passes on with only two questions about heaven – whether she will be able to eat and sleep there? If not, she said, “She is coming back.” She loved a good bargain, a challenging jigsaw or other mind bending puzzle and trying new recipes. She truly believed you could show love to people through good food. Though not much of a football fan herself, she supported her husband in his great love of BYU and always hosted a few game watching parties every fall. She's hoping you'll keep him company watching the Cougars in the future.

Most importantly, she loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and did her best to serve him. She was a member of the McKinney 3rd Ward, McKinney Texas Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved helping others and served over the years in variety of callings at church from Cub Scouts to Relief Society. She regularly volunteered at the McKinney High school store and loved the interaction with the students. Most of all, she simply wanted people to know she cared and that the Lord loved them.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 31 years, McKay Judd of McKinney, Texas and their four children, Hannah Judd, Jacksonville, Florida; Emily Calder (Logan), McKinney, Texas; Jacob Judd and Andrew Judd, Provo, Utah. She is also survived by her parents, Ramon S. and Aurora A. Garcia of McAllen, Texas and her brothers, Ramon Garcia (Arlene), San Carlos, California; Sergio Garcia (Ana), Houston, Texas and her sister, Aurora Atkins (Gary), McAllen, Texas. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Aidee Castro and Mercedes Garcia.

Viewing will be from 5-8 pm on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Charles W. Smith and Sons Mortuary, 601 S. Tennessee in McKinney. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on February 10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2801 Eldorado Pkwy in McKinney. Interment will take place at the historic Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to establish a perpetual memorial scholarship in her name. Donations in Ruth’s name can be sent to McKinney Education Foundation, 510 Heard St, McKinney, TX 75069 or you can donate online at https://www.mckinneyef.org/home (click on Donate Now).