Judith Oakley

Judith Glenn "Judy" Oakley, 80, of El Paso Arkansas passed away Wednesday March 29th at her home, surrounded by her loving family. 

Judy was born October 6th, 1942, in Searcy to the late Virginia Ervin Hughes and Curtis Hughes. She was an only child. She is also preceded in death by her husband Bruce Douglas Oakley. 

Judy met the love of her life later in life, and it was truly a love story for the ages. During their time together they loved to travel and spent much of their time in the Bahamas and Virgin Islands. Judy loved the islands and would speak of the beautiful waters often; some of the most memorable moments of her life were spent there. 

After retirement they would return to El Paso and begin producing Bermuda grass hay. After Bruce passed, Judy continued producing hay for as long as she was able. She was always a hard worker and loved being in the hay fields running a tetter.

Judy also would return to her lifelong love of horses and animals. She gave a loving home with best care to many retired cutting horses, which she gently rode while she was able. She also collected many friends of the 4-legged variety over the years, even a herd of ducks. The most famous of these was her huge German Shepard Douglas, which she named after Bruce. You would always see Judy driving around in El Paso in a white Ford pickup with a 150-pound German Shepard in the back seat. He was mean too.

Throughout her entire life Judy was devoted to her small family. She loved them fiercely and they her. She was kind and generous and important to her close friends. The absence of Judy Oakley is a void of love, light and laughter to her family and close friends. El Paso will never be the same. She was so full of life and laughter, and it spread to everyone around her. She aimed to have a good time while she was on this Earth, and she did. She had a ball. 

Judy is survived by her daughter, Donna Bednar and husband Darren of El Paso; two grandchildren, Michelle Moore of El Paso, and Jesse Moore and wife Kristin of Greenbrier; two great-grandchildren, Avery and Dean Moore, and step-grandchildren Cody Bednar of Bryant, and Tyler Bednar of Little Rock; three step-children, Dennis Oakley and wife Tamela of El Paso, Becky Irico and husband Carl of Little Rock, and Drake Oakley of Seattle, Washington; and numerous step grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W. Dewitt Henry Dr, Beebe, AR 72012. Private family burial will be at Grissard Cemetery in El Paso. To view the online registry, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook.