Judy Gross

Judy Gross died February 17, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas, three days after her 93rd birthday. Her death followed several years of decline due to Alzheimer's disease, but she recognized family and retained her sense of humor almost to the end. She was born February 14, 1921, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to John Neal and Alice Belle Nixon Craddock. She was predeceased by four brothers, two half-sisters, a step-daughter and both of her husbands, Wirt (Jack) Butler and Clarence Henry Gross. She is survived by one brother, William James Craddock, her sister, Alice Craddock Jones, her children and step-children, Judy Butler Madden, Julie Gross Byers, John Henry Gross, all of San Antonio, TX, Joyce Butler Ray of Washington, DC, and Jeanie Butler Conly of Dallas, TX. In addition, she is survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She attended public school in Sumter County, AL, starting in a one-room country schoolhouse, and earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University and a master's degree from Texas A&M Commerce in the field of education. She was a consummate educator, both in the classroom and in public school administration in Texas, with the Edgewood, Corpus Christi, Richardson and North East Independent School Districts. During her career, she was honored as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America. However, she considered it a greater honor and accomplishment to teach a child to read. Her interest in family genealogy began long before the Internet facilitated the tedious research required to trace family trees. The many hours she devoted to this research resulted in her acceptance into the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Colonial Dames of the XVII Century. She was also a sister of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping women achieve their educational goals. Judy was a life-long Presbyterian and served her church in many capacities, particularly as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio at 2:00 on May 16, 2014. Another service will be held at Haddon Presbyterian Church, Boyd, AL, at 11:00 on June 21, 2014, followed by interment in her family cemetery in Boyd. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation of your choice will be appreciated. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to her many caregivers over the years, in Mobile, AL, and at Arden Courts and Shalimar Place in San Antonio, TX. Her niece, Beth Craddock Montgomery, was a special, loving caregiver in Mobile.