Judy South

Judy Lynne Bates South, Italy, Texas, 1940-2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judy Lynne South — loving wife of David B. South and beloved mother of ten. She died in Waxahachie, Texas, on Monday, February 25, 2019.

Judy was suffering with congestive heart failure and spent several nights in the hospital during the past few months. She was riding with David to a scheduled doctor's appointment when she fell asleep in the car — as she often did — and never woke up.

Judy Lynne South née Bates was born October 10, 1940 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Norman A Bates and Evelyn Maurine Pedersen Bates. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a long-time resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Italy, Texas. She spent her school years in Idaho Falls where she participated in choir, musical theater, and pep club. Judy was an honor student. She was a Soroptimist Club Girl of the year where she got a scholarship for college. She was a church seminary graduate.

Judy married her high school friend, David B. South, on his 20th birthday on February 20, 1959. David and Judy recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

She could be called the mother of the Monolithic Dome for her unwavering support during the difficult early years of the nascent industry.

While living on the South Menan Butte overlooking the Snake River in Menan, Idaho, she became an avid birder. She would watch the many different species from the majestic bald eagles and great blue herons down to the tiny finches that pecked at the windows of her home. She also loved flowers. She and David would often drive through the Texas countryside looking for the beautiful wildflowers that dotted the landscape.

Judy loved family history. She spent countless hours researching her ancestors, learning their stories.

She had a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She taught children and adults the gospel, but her real love was serving through music. She played the guitar, loved to sing, and served many years as the church choir director.

Judy brightened everyone's day and showed the true meaning of charity as she gave love and attention to everyone she met. She always looked for the good in others.

Preceded in death by her father Norman A Bates, mother Evelyn Maurine Pedersen Bates, daughter Julie South and granddaughters Elizabeth and Lucy Goodwin. Survivors are her husband David Barney South of Italy, Texas, and children: Sarah Junae Bitter and Lance of Alaska, Jenny Lynne Semenza of Pocatello, Idaho, Nanette South Clark and Gary of Italy, TX, David B. South Jr. and Jennifer of Logan, Utah, Melinda South of Italy, TX, Rebecca Jo South and Ben Slota of Italy, Texas, Jessica South Goodwin and Doug of Spanish Fork, Utah, Michael Jay South and Tessa of Italy, Texas, Jamie Lynne South Shaw and Bill of Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by 18 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, and sister Susan Merry Bates Ames wife of Harry O. Ames of Logan, Utah.

A viewing is scheduled for Saturday, March 2 at the LDS church in Waxahachie, Texas (2418 Brown St) at 10 AM. It will be followed by a funeral service at 11 AM.

It was Judy’s request that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the "church humanitarian fund":https://ldsp-pay.ldschurch.org/donations/lds-church/humanitarian-services/humanitarian-aid-fund.html or to a preferred charity of their choice.