It is with heaviest hearts we share the news of the passing of our beloved wife, mother of three, mimi to nine, and truly beautiful soul, Mary Lorena "Judy" Childers. Judy succumbed to her short battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, June 21, living just shy of eight weeks after diagnosis. But the story of her death is not the story of her life.

Judy was born on September 14, 1951 in Andrews, TX to Curtis and Turrah Moore. As the daughter of an oil man, she spent much of her youth in Texas and Louisiana prior to her family moving to Lindsay, OK just before her Freshman year of high school. Judy was manager of the state-champion Lindsay Leopardette basketball team and was crowned Leopard Queen in 1966.

Judy married the love of her life, Dan Childers on August 30, 1974 shortly after moving with him from Chickasha, OK to Corpus Christi, TX. Dan lovingly refers to this time in their life, saying "She chased me until I caught her". They were married for almost 46 years at the time of her death. They lived in Duncan, OK with oldest son Daniel for 12 wonderful years and were members of the Duncan Jaycees. They spent the next 30 years in Bedford, TX raising their two youngest children, Steven and Amy, with the goal of returning to Oklahoma after retirement. Having an unrivaled love of accounting and a servant leadership style, Judy was naturally the office manager for a medical practice. She was also very active in the church and went on mission trips every summer from 1995-2004. Upon retirement, Dan and Judy returned to Norman, OK to be closer to family and friends. Judy was always happiest when surrounded by her family. Her days after retirement were spent walking to the OU campus, going for swirls at The Mont, visiting on the front porch with her mother-in-law who lived two houses away, and playing Bunco, Mahjong and taking trips with her circle of friends, "The Norman Newcomers".

Judy's greatest joy in life was being a mother. She was the kind of mom who read stories to her kids every night, put their jeans in the dryer before school in the winter time, and mailed cards to them often when they were away at college. She made everyone feel loved, and in turn, everyone who knew her loved her. Her compassion, thoughtfulness, wisdom, common sense, and ability to listen made a lasting impression on every person that knew her.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Turrah Moore and mother-in-law, Jerry Childers. She is survived by husband Dan, who intends to live out the rest of his days honoring her memory by continuing daily walks to the OU campus, sailing on Lake Thunderbird, drinking swirls on the patio of The Mont, and figuring out just how many Norman Lab speakers will actually fit in their living room. She is also survived by her brother Mike Moore, three children, Daniel and Steven Childers and Amy Hernandez, daughter-in-law Barbara Childers, son-in-law Alex Hernandez, and 9 grandchildren, Brittany Snow, Allison, Chase, Parker, and Julia Childers, and Ethan, Lily, Violet, and Hazel Hernandez.

A celebration of life will take place at a future date for family and friends.