Elsie "Petie" Judson

With family continuing to love and celebrate her, on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 in her 80th year, Elsie “Petie” Ann Judson left her earthly body for the journey of a lifetime to be reunited with her family, friends and her Lord Jesus Christ.

Petie grew up in a military family and continued her life as a career wife in the Army. She was born in Port Allegany, PA on December 16, 1939, to Herman and Gertrude Rice. Graduating from Aberdeen, MA, High School, Petie became a dental assistant. Petie followed her family to Germany to take care of her siblings, where her father, Herman, introduced her to the love of her life, now Ret. LTC. Alan Lee Judson. They were married in Switzerland in August of 1959, followed by a military chapel wedding in Germany in September.

Petie’s passions were her family, being an amazing hostess and gourmet cook. She won a Texas State Beef Competition one year when she entered a sausage-stuffed eye of round as the winning entry. She learned her culinary skills beginning in High School as an Outstanding Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. She continued to perfect those skills throughout the years of military tours in Japan, Germany, Turkey, Brazil and all over the U.S. Petie was an avid reader and shared this love with others by mentoring young children in public schools. She was a lifelong learner and loved winning at bridge and casino trips. Additionally, Petie was an advisor to The Washington State Beauty Pageant and an advisor to a congressman in the 17th Congressional District of Texas.

Surviving family includes husband, Alan Lee Judson, daughter, Victoria Blumhagen and husband, Guy, of Austin, daughter, Valerie Cochran and husband, Glenn, and daughter, Gina Judson, all of Lubbock. Brother, John Rice, and wife, Ronna of Amarillo. Grandchildren, Kelly and Allison Blumhagen, Kelsey and Teal Holeman, Thomas and Luke Cochran, and great-grandson, Tegan McIntosh. Sister-in-law, Ann Judson, and her family, and nieces and nephew, Kelly Miller, Lisa Sunberg, and Curtis Judson and their families.

Petie was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Gertrude Rice, brother, Jimmy Rice, sister, Connie Gray, brothers-in-law, Willard and Robert Judson, nephew, Steven Judson, father and mother-in-law, Javes and Violet Judson.

The Judsons are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo, TX. Memorials are welcome to the Amarillo Children’s Home.

Petie’s memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 14, 2020, with a reception to follow. You are welcome to sign the online guest book at Schooler Funeral Home. A special thank you to BSA Hospital Caregivers and all of Olivia’s Angels at BSA Hospice.