Judith Koski Stacks was born on June 15, 1935, in Moss Point, Mississippi to Toivo and Irma Koski. Her only sibling, Charles, was born when she was 10 years old, and she loved him dearly.
Judy was very involved at Moss Point High School where she worked on the school newspaper, participated in the senior play, and was a drum majorette in the band. She was voted Homecoming Queen, Carnival Ball Queen, and Class Beauty. She really was a stunner with her black hair and blue eyes. When her granddaughter was little, she saw Elizabeth Taylor on television and thought it was Judy!
She attended the University of Mississippi for one year before she met William Stacks (Bill) while waiting tables at a restaurant in Moss Point for the summer. They married a couple of months later even though he was a graduate of Mississippi State!
They had two children, Kent and Laura, and Judy was a devoted wife and mother. She was very involved with her children and attended numerous baseball games, dance recitals, and served as a room mother at the school. She was a fabulous cook and fed everyone who came to her house. She also fed all the neighborhood cats. Judy was famous for her "Judy burgers" which were made with lots of Lea and Perrins (no substitutes, please) and black pepper. Her holiday dinners were eagerly anticipated by all because of her "Judy gravy". This velvety brown gravy was the highlight of the meal and was served in a festive Christmas teapot. She thought of this idea before Southern Living Magazine!
Judy was a champion bowler, played golf, and was a graceful diver and swimmer. She truly loved spending time outdoors. She was an avid reader and a self-proclaimed book snob. No romance novels for her; she liked the good stuff! She was often found reading in the backyard, by the pool, or on her screened-in porch. Her house was so full of books; her friends would ask if they could get a library card there.
Judy was a huge fan of Jeopardy, and everyone knew not to call during the program. Another favorite pastime was watching football and cheering on her Ole Miss Rebels. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, writing, and learning in general. She went to Odyssey classes at the University of South Alabama and was the editor and writer for their newsletter, The Log. Judy also volunteered for many years at Springhill Hospital and thoroughly enjoyed the people she met there.
More than anything else, Judy loved spending time with her family. She and her son-in-law Steve had many lively conversations with their 5 a.m. coffee, and she thought the world of her daughter-in-law Lisa. She was extremely close to her niece Leslie and her nephew Chuck. She also had two grandchildren, Caroline and Forrest, whom she spent countless hours with. She took the girls shopping for Swatch Watches, clothes, and prom dresses. She played in the pool, entertained their friends, and went to many of their sporting events. Judy also had five great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud. William, Madeline, Ben, Luke, and Meredith were a constant source of joy in her life. She also enjoyed keeping up with her great nieces and nephews Chase, Caroline, Kent, and Avery.
Judy was a generous and loving person with a great sense of humor. Everyone who knew her loved her and enjoyed her company. She had many dear friends, but her best friend, Alice Jean Little, she had known her entire life. They were like sisters. Judy had a strong faith in God, and always said how blessed she was. Now she is with the friends and family members who passed before her. When Ruth died in Fried Green Tomatoes, they said, "Let her go. She was a lady, and a lady always knows when to leave." Judy left us on September 4, 2022. She was the epitome of a lady, and she will forever live in our hearts.
Graveside Services will be held Friday, September 9, 2022, at 11 a.m. at The Historical Finnish Lutheran Cemetery in Moss Point, MS. The Finnish Church will be opened after the service for friends to visit with Mrs. Stacks' family. You may sign the online register book and send condolences to the Stacks family by visiting our website at www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com