Judye Ruth Stinnett Fuqua, 76, of Holly Springs and formerly of Eden, NC, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 10, 2015 at Wake Medical Center in Cary following months of declining health. Born on October 25, 1938 in Canton, NC, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Ray Stinnett and Mary Edna Queen Stinnett.
She was a 1956 graduate of Canton High School where she cheered for the Black Bears. Judye then attended Western Carolina University chartering the Gamma Rho chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Her daughter, Terry, later continued the sorority legacy at NC State. Judye was also recognized on the 1959 Western Carolina University May Court. She graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Education.
Judye's elementary school teaching career spanned 4 decades beginning as a 2nd grade teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary in Martinsville, Virginia. After 11 years, she spent one year at Central Elementary in Eden before moving to Draper Elementary where she taught for 25 years. She had a passion and strength for teaching children to read and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2001. In her retirement remarks Judye stated that she wanted her students to grow and reach their full potential. With the onset of social media, she reconnected with many of them in recent years and found great joy in learning of their successes and seeing pictures of their families.
She had the privilege of working with a number of fellow teachers and administrators who also became life long friends. There were many laughs, adventures, and milestones celebrated. Among those cherished friends, the "Seven Old Broads" who together received their Ph.Ds in Retirement from the University of Draper East Campus in 2001.
Judye was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Eden, Apex Baptist Church in Apex, the North Carolina Association of Educators, Delta Kappa Gamma, the international sorority for women educators, and the Rockingham County Historical Society.
No one enjoyed retirement more than Judye as her Passport full of stamps attests. Her trips abroad included a mission trip to Ukraine where she lived with a local family for her stay and last summer she completed a two -week bus tour of the US National Park System. She a voracious reader, played bridge, and never turned down a road trip to the beach with her friends.
Like most grandparents her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Savannah and Jackson Marley of Apex. She moved to Wake County to be closer and found great happiness watching them grow. She was very proud of Savannah's volunteer activities, music, mad lacrosse skills, and academic accomplishments thus far at Appalachian State. She volunteered in Jackson's classrooms at Salem Elementary and cheered him on from the sidelines during his many football and basketball games.
Judye is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Terry Fuqua Shipwash and husband, Bobby of Apex, her grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Judye was preceded in death by her husband Glenn D. Fuqua, her daughter, Julie Kay Fuqua, and siblings Annie Kate Limbo of Clyde, Ed Ray Stinnett of Horse Shoe, and Jon Mac Stinnett of Shelby.
A celebration of her life will be held at Fair Funeral Home in Eden, NC on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 11 AM. Family will receive friends immediately following the service. Judye's ashes will be scattered in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Contributions in Judye's memory may be made to The Wilkes Family Scholarship in care of the Eden YMCA, 301 South Kennedy Avenue, Eden, NC 27288. Bob Wilkes was Judye's principal at Draper Elementary for many years and a beloved person in her life.
Apex Funeral Home in Apex, NC and Fair Funeral Home in Eden, NC are assisting the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ApexFuneral.net or www.fairfuneralhome.com
Dear Terry and family, we are so,sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was truly an active woman when she was in Eden as well as a fabulous teacher. I know how sad it is to lose your mom, but her health has returned and she is looking down on all of you. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan & Louis Childrey
What an honor and joy it was to have worked along beside Judye. Her spirit was so inspiring and her love for people, both in schools and the community was humbling. May God comfort the family with this terrible loss.
Tommy Griffin
What a beautiful, fun and caring friend! Our years together in education in Eden NC were priceless. Judye helped welcome us to Cary with other MHS alumni in the Triangle after 52 years in Eden.
Our continued love for you, Terry and Bobby. Together, Gloria + Mr. "B"
Duane & Gloria Best
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