Judy Belle Alexander Stokes passed away peacefully at her home in Bowling
Green on Friday, August 19, 2022 following a courageous, short battle with
cancer. She was comforted throughout by loving family and friends. As in the
rest of her life, she was braver and stronger than she imagined while remaining
thoughtful, funny, brilliant, charming, generous, kind, and beautiful throughout
this chapter.
Judy’s unique passion for life and strong family ties kept her decades younger
than her 79 years. Born in Glasgow, KY on February 3, 1943, she was the fourth
child born to the late Robert Oliver Alexander and his wife, Margarett Matthews
Alexander, and thus, descended from some of Barren County’s pioneer families.
She was the granddaughter of Arthur B. and Zoye Miller Alexander and James A.
Sr. and Lillie Belle Depp Matthews, the latter being her namesake.
From an early age, Judy revealed a variety of talents, the most notable being a
gifted musician. Regarded as the most outstanding musician in her family, Judy
possessed near-perfect pitch. She was an exceptional vocalist and pianist, but her
musical passion became playing the trombone in the legendary Glasgow Scottie
Band under the direction of Charles B. Honeycutt. With heartfelt pride, Judy
wore the iconic kilt and regalia of the “Marching 100,” originally handcrafted by
her mother and staff at Alexander Dry Cleaners. Years later Judy was a dedicated
Scottie Band Parent who filled many roles in the life of the band, most notably as
the keeper of the uniforms.
Following graduation from Glasgow High School, Judy, in partnership with her
trombone, “Clarence,” earned a scholarship to Transylvania University where she
was an active member of the Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity. As a young
adult, she entered the field of education and taught at Glendover Elementary
School in Lexington. Judy later received a Master’s Degree in Education through
remote learning from the University of Southern California.
While teaching, Judy met Robert Nelson Stokes of Elkton, KY. They married in
June of 1966 and lived in several places, including Rota, Spain, before settling in
Judy’s hometown of Glasgow. There, her focus became family and cattle farming
as she cared fiercely for their two daughters and a large herd of Limousine beef
cattle.
Judy considered her greatest accomplishment in life to be her daughters, Shana
Stokes Woodyard (Jamie) and Allison Stokes Gorrell (Travis), who brought her
much joy. In addition to her daughters, Judy is survived by four grandchildren,
Alexander and Mariel Langley and Amelia and Silas Gorrell, and two step-
grandchildren, Cayden and Kenley Woodyard. She is also survived by her sisters,
Pryntha Alexander Hardenbergh and Patricia Alexander Nielsen, both of
Lexington; Anna Alexander Wilson of Nicholasville; her foster brother, Robert
“Bobby” Chapman of Georgia; her sister-in-law, Zara Alexander of Glasgow; as
well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Judy was
preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and her brother Robert Matthews
“Buddy” Alexander.
Friends and family are invited to join in a Celebration of Life for Judy on
Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:30am at the Ole French Restaurant, 255
Perkins Road in Glasgow, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a
memorial contribution in her name to these organizations that advocate for
causes that were close to her heart: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
BRAWA, and the Glasgow Education Foundation.
Arrangements were entrusted to Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home.