Judi Richardson Rockwell was sung into heaven by her family and friends at her bedside, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
Judi was born Oct.10, 1966, to the late Marion (Sarg) and Connie (Mann) Richardson in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Judi graduated in 1985 from Poplar Bluff Senior High School. She was voted “Most Talented” by her classmates and went on to pursue her music with a full-ride scholarship to the University of Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. Judi made the pageant circuit all through Missouri in the early and mid-’80s, gaining numerous crowns, titles, and awards. Judi sang professionally around the world, working for cruise ships and touring close to 100 countries singing for America’s troops. She would tell you that she enjoyed that part of her career because her father was a veteran, and she delighted in bringing them joy while they were serving their country. In the late 90s and early 2000s, she sang back up in Nashville for many Top 10 Country Music artists. Out of all these many accomplishments, she preferred to worship her King with her voice while sitting at home or in the car.
Judi loved Jesus. She became a vivacious reader of the word and encouraged all around her to dig deeper into their Bibles to gain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She was bold in her faith and was not afraid to call out her friends when they were not following the scriptures. In return, she appreciated her friends calling her out in the same way. She developed a love for the word of God, and His words were her favorite to read and meditate on daily.
Judi was a lover of dogs. She is also survived by her beloved fur babies Rocky, Max, Letty, Rebel, and Boomer. Judi often rescued dogs and made sure they received the care they needed. Even dogs that would have normally been put down, she took in, got their treatment, and allowed them to live out their lives at her home. She believed in helping others, whether friend or foe, human or canine.
Judi met the love of her life Dr. Stuart Rockwell, and they were married in 2011. Stuart and Judi made many mission trips to countries to offer dental care and the word of God to thousands over the years. They looked forward to these trips very much over the years.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Stuart Rockwell; two sons, Lewis Tyler Spanos of Poplar Bluff and Logan (Brittany) Rockwell of Paragould, Arkansas; one daughter, Lauren (Jeremy) Cude of Paragould, Arkansas; one brother, David (Linda) Richardson of Clear Lake, Iowa; one sister, Sandi Ivy of Tampa, Florida and five grandchildren. Judi is also survived by her tribe Mark Ferguson of Nashville, Tennessee, Michael Cooper of Doniphan, Dr. Rick Wirtz of Dexter, Drs. HK and Geta Reddy, Dee (Steve) Murphy, Lorrie (Kent) Busse, Melody Dolle-Ducote (Molly), Debbie Zadnick Bess, Cyrene (Curt) Carringer, Matthew (Shannon) Edmundson, Sanjay Varma and Linda Carter, all of Poplar Bluff.
Judi was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Karen Jones, father-in-law, J.V. Rockwell, and beloved dog, Bella.
Arrangements are provided by Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at noon, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Heartland Christian Family Church, 3025 S Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff. The memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Judi’s name to Heartland Church or Andrew Womack Ministries, in Colorado.
Fitch-Hillis offers the availability of online condolences on our Facebook Page and at www.fitchhillisfh.com.