Judith Ann Allen Noland

Judy Allen Noland, 83, longtime resident of O'Donnell, Texas, passed away on February 25 in Abilene. Judy was born in Fort Worth in May, 1936, and was the adopted daughter of John and Marjorie Bowen Allen of Lamesa. She was a 1954 graduate of Lamesa High. She majored in Psychology at Texas Tech, where she met Wayne Noland, who had completed his service in the United States Marine Corps, and was attending mechanical engineering school on the GI bill. They married in November, 1955. After marrying, Wayne and Judy moved around a bit, from Lubbock, to Lamesa, to O'Donnell and back to Lamesa. They eventually settled for good in O'Donnell in 1972, establishing a full, happy, low key household of four rambunctious kids and their friends (who always felt welcomed), school and Methodist church activities, holidays, pets and fun. She held a series of part-time and full-time jobs to help support the family, ran an antique shop, and helped her husband Wayne, both at O'Donnell Lumber and Hardware, and later on in his duties as Lynn County Justice of the Peace until his death in 2002. As the Internet became available, she enthusiastically embraced all it had to offer, especially Facebook and websites about her passion - genealogy. Using ancestry.com and other sources, she was able to fill out the family tree on the side of her birth father, Ben Hamilton Stokes of Borger. She enjoyed working on extensive genealogical research - for strangers as well as family - and was generous with her genealogy knowledge. Judy loved listening to old-time Bluegrass music, and had a hard time driving by a garden center, old graveyard, or garage sale without stopping. In later years, Judy eventually moved to her daughter Cathy's Abilene home, where she was well cared for, and enjoyed the company of her granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Judy is survived by her son Kirby and his wife Suzie (her "favorite daughter in law") of Lake Tawakoni, Texas; her daughter Gay and husband Bruce Pleasant of Prospect Hill, North Carolina; and her daughter Cathy and husband Michael Askins of Abilene. Grandchildren with happy memories of visiting "Moo Moo" and Granddaddy's house include Rusty Noland, Amber Noland Travers (Tracy), Matt Gasper (Carlie), Rachel Gasper, Christin Jones, Jaydon Askins, and Grace Askins, and her great-grandchildren Kali, Hali Mae, Brooklynn and Catelynn. She is also survived by her brother Charles Allen, her dear sister-in-law Gene Bailey, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Brenda Noland, and several nieces and nephews. She was welcomed to Heaven by her husband, Wayne Noland; her beloved Aunt Leck, her infant son Mark, her infant grandson Shane, and her son Brad. Also welcoming her to Heaven with barks and wagging tails was a group of little dogs of assorted breeds - mostly dachshunds - who served as her much loved, faithful companions in life over the years. Private family graveside services will be held on Friday, February 28 at the O'Donnell Cemetery. Memorials in Judy's name may be made to the O'Donnell Cemetery fund, or to the O'Donnell Museum. The family is grateful for the services of the Hamil Family Funeral Home of Abilene, Texas.