Zella Jude

Zella Louise Jude (Louise) went home to her Savior September 24, 2023, resting at home family by her side. She died because she lived a rich and complete life, and she just spent all her energy loving and giving to her family. She was born in Crites, West Virginia on March 21, 1935. Louise was married to John on October 10, 1953, and remained married until his passing on April 15, 2017. During these 54 years they worked hard to provide a better life for their children and grandchildren.

There are different stories about how many days they knew each other before they got married but the low number is 5 and the high number is 10 days. They had Hollywood good looks and must have been having fun because they did not have kids for ten years. But when they did start having kids, they did that well too. Between 1964 and 1972 they had five children. On August 11, 1971, they bought a home in River Bend where they raised their kids and gave them a great start.

Their love was evident by their actions but reinforced with their words and affection. Louise was an "exceptional mother"! According to a niece "she was not the best housekeeper, because her kids took such high priority". And that was the truth. She achieved exceptional motherhood while working full-time in a factory for most of her life. By working different shifts, she managed to keep all five kids in sports nearly year-round. And she did not just drop us off. She ran the concession stand or was cheering very loudly. She attended Man high school but never graduated probably because she got a job at a local grill where she met and eloped with our dad. She did get her GED when her kids were in grade school. She got an engineering tech certification from Owens Illinois (Technaglass) around 1983.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father Renee and Elba; her siblings Nanny, Ethel, Hiram, Jimmy, David, Carl, Otis, and Paul. She is survived by her dear sister Sarah and ornery brother Forrest. She loved them all very much. She is also survived by her children John (Lora), Randall, Lisa (dear departed husband Wayne), Teresa (Isrreal), and Linette (Steve); Grandchildren Rebekah, Kristin, Amanda, Rachel, Olivia, Hillary, Sarah, John, Bryton, Wayne, Phoebe, Zachary, Joshua, and adopted grandchildren Haylee and Matthew; Great grandchildren Rylee, Roc, Kensington, Peyton, Farrah, Duke, Jude and Emeline.

The visitation will be on Saturday, September 30 at the Newcomer Funeral Home in Grove City, Ohio starting at 4pm. The celebration of life will be immediately following at 6pm. The internment will be the next day, Sunday with a grave side service beginning at 2pm at the Jude-Fletcher cemetery on Petercave Fork Road off route 1714 in Martin County, KY. She did not believe in funeral flowers much, but I know she would approve of you taking the money you would spend on flowers and taking a loved one out to eat and expressing your affection for them.

Louise's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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