Judith Lynn Travis Hampton, 68, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, after battling Parkinson's disease for less than nine years. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, with Pastor James Scirratt officiating. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 N. Davis Drive, Arlington. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Judy was born Dec. 9, 1945, in Stuttgart, Ark., to Kathryn McKewen Travis and Lynwood Birkett Travis. A polio survivor and the older of two daughters, Judy grew up with her sister, Kathy, in Little Rock, Ark. They attended Hall High School. After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1967 with a degree in education, Judy married Larry Wayne Hampton. In 1970 they moved to Nuremberg, Germany, where Larry served in the U.S. Army. While there, Judy gave birth to the first of two children, a daughter, Jane Marie. The family later settled in Fort Worth and had their second child, son Stephen David, in 1973. A love and passion for teaching preschool-age children motivated Judy to teach at St. Luke's Episcopal Preschool in Fort Worth. Pursuing an early childhood certification from Texas Wesleyan University, she later taught 4-year-olds at Dillow Elementary School in Fort Worth and Webb Elementary School in Arlington. Judy's creative and artistic talents led her to pursue many hobbies, including sewing clothing and making numerous quilts. She enjoyed collecting teddy bears, Cherished Teddy figurines, cookie jars, dishes and storybook china figurines. Attending First Baptist Arlington and East Meadows Baptist in Fort Worth before that, her sincere Christian faith and devotion to her family were evident to all who met her. She was the best wife and mother anyone could ever have. Judy's gift of empathy, quick-thinking and high intellect drew others to her. She showed grace, determination and dignity during her battle with Parkinson's disease. Survivors: Husband, Larry Hampton of Arlington; daughter, Jane Cook and husband, John Kim Cook, of Fairfax, Va.; son, Steve Hampton and wife, Danielle, of Ralston, Neb.; sister, Kathy Hendrixson and husband, Mike Hendrixson; and grandchildren, Austin, Zachary and Carson Cook, and Bridget Hampton.
Published in Star-Telegram on May 18, 2014