Tributes
Judy Lee Yoakum (nee Phillips), 78, of Cold Spring, KY, passed away on December 13, 2020 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati surrounded by her loving family.
Judy was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington. Soon after completing nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital, she and Bruce were married in 1963 and relocated to Seattle. She finished putting him through college at the University of Washington and in 1965 they moved to Los Angeles. Her children were all born in Los Angeles between December 1965 and December 1968. When they found out what was causing all of the pregnancies, they were able to put a stop to it. Needless to say, all three kids were, and are, a blessing! Judy was many things, but first and foremost, she was a proud and loving mother, grandmother and wife. All of her kids, grandkids and Bruce loved her right back. Family meant everything to her.
She was a registered nurse for 50 years and really loved her work, especially working in pediatric offices, which she did for about 15 years. She was happiest mentoring first time mothers as they were learning the challenging job of being the best mother they could be. Many nights she didn’t get home until after 7pm because she was returning patients’ calls before going home.
After living in the Los Angeles area for seven years, Bruce took a new job and the family moved to southeast Utah. By then the kids were a little older and the family became campers. Judy really enjoyed camping and the family has such great memories of those times on the high desert and in the mountains.
In 1978 the family moved to Ann Arbor, MI as Bruce’s employer asked him to relocate to the home office. Camping days were over, but Judy’s work in Pediatrics and taking care of the family kept her busy and happy most of the time. The second year in Ann Arbor was difficult for Judy since Bruce was spending every week in NW Indiana on a construction project and she was dealing with everything on the home front. By the time the kids finished high school and two were in college in 1988, it was time for another move. This time to Chico, CA due to a career change for Bruce. The time in Chico was mostly a happy one and, of course, that was the period when the grandchildren began to come on the scene and what a joyous time that was for Judy. She could never get enough of them! In 2009 after she and Bruce had retired, a move to Northern Kentucky made sense because two of her children and all of her grandchildren were either in NKY or Indianapolis. Time in Cold Spring was special being closer to family, making so many good friends in the neighborhood, and becoming part of a church family that was very dear to her. This is when she began serving on the Board of Directors for the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center (NKYCAC). Her passion project was championing the annual Pinwheel Project at her church, creating awareness and financial support for child abuse and the NKYCAC.
Judy loved traveling and had the opportunity to do so with Bruce, family members and many cherished friends. The cruises and trips to Mexico, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Europe were some of her most favorite excursions.
Throughout her life, family get togethers were a priority and every effort was made to make them happen. 2020 was a year of health issues and the inability for family to be with Judy made it tough. The upside is that it brought the family even closer together and that will certainly be one of her legacies. In every place she lived she made many good friends and will be missed by so many.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Angeline Phillips; and her brother-in-law, Delmar Yoakum. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Bruce Yoakum; and her children, Lisa (Douglas Streepey) Yoakum, Darren (Audrey) Yoakum, and Mark (Kazu) Yoakum. Judy also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Austin and Cayden Streepey, Sarah and Rachel Yoakum, and Elliot, Calvin, Katianna, and Isaac Yoakum,
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, services for Judy will be held virtually on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 1:00PM EST. To view her services please click here: https://youtu.be/lqo_Bmvnqv0
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations to: Immanuel United Methodist Church 2551 Dixie Hwy. Lakeside Park, KY 41017, https://immanuelumc.org/give or Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center 4890 Houston Road, Florence, KY 41042. http://bit.ly/2K1vvLl
Online condolences to: www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.
Judy Lee Yoakum
Linnemann Funeral Home Crematory
Address: 30 Commonwealth Avenue Erlanger, KY - Kentucky 41018Judy Lee Yoakum
,
To Bruce and Family
Although I did not know Judy as well as many others at Immanuel, I know how much she means to everyone here. It was such a blessing to hear all of the stories told during her service, and it touches my heart to know the impact she had on everyone who knew her. You and your family are in my prayers. I am grateful for Judy and the work she did for the Lord.
In Christ’s Love,
Jacob Booher
Thank you for touching our lives
Bruce
Our hearts go out to you and your family. Judy was a beautiful person inside and out. Her eagerness to learn and grow in her personal faith was inspiring. Karla and I have been so blessed by our time together in the Brown’s small group. We love you, Bruce.
Karla and Maurice Pugh
What a woman
Bruce and family, Susan and I attended the service today virtually. It was a fantastic service and all of you did a wonderful job of honoring Judy. Like others in the church, as newcomers to IUMC, we didn’t know Judy well, but we know enough to know that she was a fine woman and Bruce is a great guy. We enjoyed each of your tributes and we now feel we know Judy so much better. We are relieved that her suffering and battles are over and know that we will continue to love on Bruce.
Ed & Susan Burcham
To Bruce Yoakum and Family –
Bill and I attended Judy’s beautiful service this morning. Thank you all so much for making this ‘shareable’ with those of us who care and are so far away at this time. We will miss Judy very much. What a wonderful job you all did celebrating and remembering her – Sending peace and love to you all. Bill and Cindy Wheeler
To Bruce and Family
Our deepest sympathy and love go to you and your family. Wendell and I have such sweet memories of you and Judy when we all lived in Ann Arbor. Traver Lakes was never the same after you and Judy left. We will miss her great smile and sense of humor. I have a picture of Judy and I where we were laughing so hard, we were crying. I think it was at one of those crazy Christmas parties we use to have where we exchanged those silly white elephant gifts. Great memories, great friends. Loved her, love you and your family. Wendell and Marta Barron
Much Love to you all
Dearest Bruce,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Judy was a force of nature and such a guiding light to everyone who knew her. My parents were so blessed to have her (and you) be such great friends to them. Pushing Mom and Dad to go on exotic trips, giving her a love of snorkeling, Hawaii, cruising… you name it! Their greatest adventures were due to you both. You both enriched their lives in a thousand ways. I just watched the service and, while I knew how active she was in your church and community, it is clear that the time and effort she put forth to support Mom was replicated time and again in so many people’s lives.
Lisa, Mark and Darren, the service was beautiful, just like your mom. The perfect tribute to an amazing woman.
Much love to you all,
Kristine Velisaris (Kathie and David’s Daughter)
Beautiful Service
Bruce and family, the service was beautiful and I’m sure Judy loved it. We and the grandgirls will miss our lovely neighbor. Kenny and Diane.
Judy Yoakum
Thank you for letting us share the beautiful memorial service for dear Judy. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Paul and Pris Jata
An Uplifting Service
What a beautiful service for this lovely lady. Our hearts are breaking for you. Love, Con and Peg
Floyd and Karen Day
We are so glad to have been with you all for Judy’s celebration of life. We loved seeing each of you again.
Love,
Floyd and Karen
Thank You
Dear Bruce
Thank You for sharing Judy’s service with the rest of us. It was wonderful and we feel so fortunate to be part of Judy’s life.
Gary and Deb Gluth
Look up, pump your arm and know she is cheering.
Dear Bruce, Lisa, Darren, Mark, and family,
Thank you for composing the lovely obituary. I know she would love to read it. The accompanying photo is gorgeous and a reminder of her joyful spirit.
Judy and I barely knew each other as we passed in the hallways of Bellingham High School. We ran in different circles. There were 501 of us in our high school class so no wonder we passed like two ships in the night. Fortune landed us at St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. We took the same classes and got to know each other through our daily activities. After graduation, again a different path, but we kept track of each other’s whereabouts. It was in our senior years that we again reconnected. It seems we were just warming up once more to our mutual interests. One of our shared interests was family and grandchildren and the joy we felt as the grandchildren grew. She expressed her love of life to me and I know she wanted to live for future joys, hence her heroic battle with Covid19. She wanted to witness and cheer her grandchildren’s successes. So, as you continue, and when you score another success, look up, pump your arm and know she is cheering!
Christa Williams
And John also sends his condolences
Sending Our Heartfelt Sympathy
Bruce and Family, We are sending all of you our heartfelt sympathy. Judy was such a wonderful, happy person. She always had a smile on her face and a friendly word. She will not be forgotten, as the great memories of her will be with us always. Dick and Mary Lou Frendt
To the Yoakum family
Dear Bruce, Darren, Mark and Lisa,
It is hard to think we will not see Judy’s beautiful smile and hug her again. We loved her amazing warmth , joy and caring for others. We were lucky to be considered her friend and receive her love. We treasure our years in Ann Arbor with each of you and that we could watch you three grow up with our three children.
Come visit us in Colorado. Stay in touch. We love you❤️
A Lovely Christian Lady
Will always remember her lovely smile and upbeat attitude. She is an inspiring witness for Christ. Sent with Christian love, John & Betty
Judy Yoakum
Dear Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about Judy. Such wonderful times while you lived in Chico. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Bob, Mary, and daughter Lindsay Poulin
With deepest sympathy
Judy was a bright spot in a dark world, her positive “can do” attitude was an encouragement to many. She never met a stranger, that smile was ever ready and a hug always came with it. I admired her for so many reasons, she was an inspiration to me. I and so many others will miss her greatly. May God bring you and the family comfort, knowing that we will see her again in heaven. God bless you!
Deepest condolences from Ida Spence Mission Board
We had the great joy of serving with Judy. Her passion for helping the underserved/most vulnerable is something we will all remember about her.
When I (Gina) think of her I will always remember that smile that was so sincere that you could not help but feel the love when she would greet you. She was an amazing woman who loved deeply and accomplished much during her years on this earth. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to serve with her. Your family will continue to be in our prayers.
Love, Gina & the Ida Spence Mission Board
Condolences
Lisa and family, the Marcus family wishes to extend our sincere sympathy over the loss of your mom.. Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs.
