Dr. Judy Elaine Wilson Stevens went home peacefully to be with Jesus the morning of July 8, 2024, at 5:40am, just as Hurricane Beryl hit North Houston. Judy was born on June 26, 1944, in Clinton, Louisiana and was the first born to Leroy and Edna Wilson. We were blessed to celebrate her 80th birthday a week and a half before her passing. At age 6, Judy moved to LaMarque, TX where she joined her younger siblings, Leroy Wilson Jr, Gwendolyn Wilson, and later Ronald Wilson. Lamarque is also where she began her successful educational journey, attending Woodland Elementary School. Judy attended Lincoln High School, where she was voted Homecoming Queen in her senior year and graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1962. She continued her studies at the University of Texas, Austin. While there, she helped to integrate a university dorm, Kinsolving, was a member of the friend group” Four Foxes”, and a survivor of the UT tower shooting tragedy in 1966. She also is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Judy graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, with a minor in History. Later she attained her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston, before finally accomplishing her highest honor: a Doctorate in Education from Baylor University.

As an undergrad student, Judy met the love of her life and her best friend, Robert Stevens, Jr.  They enjoyed 60 years of marriage and numerous experiences together. They began their married life in Galveston, TX, but soon returned to LaMarque, TX and had two children. After several years back in LaMarque, Robert and Judy chose to move their family to the Sagemont Area in Southwest Houston. As empty nesters, they decided to reside in West Houston before beginning full time “RV-ing”. During these RV-ing days, Robert and Judy were members of NAARVA, National African American RV Association, the Texas Sojourners, and the Texas Rollers organizations. Along the way, they made friends across the country and enjoyed time with their RV groups.  After almost 20 years on the road, the pair sold their RV and settled down to spend their final years together in Cypress, TX. Once in Cypress, they moved into independent living and joined the “Solea Family”. Everywhere Robert and Judy went, they made life-long friends and family. Over the course of their love story, Robert and Judy raised two children, son- Robert Stevens III and daughter-Angela Stevens McNeil, were the loving grandparents to four grandchildren,  Christian Hayden, Josh Hayden, Alexus McNeil, and Alyssa McNeil, and four great grandchildren- Jordan, Devin, Shelby, and Kyler Hayden.

Judy secured her salvation at a young age attending Greater Bell Zion Missionary Baptist Church, the same church Judy and Robert were married in. When they moved to South Houston, they made Sagemont Baptist Church their home. When they moved to West Houston, Robert and Judy attended Second Baptist for several years. Upon their return to Cypress, for their last few years together, they chose to be a part of a church plant and join Derrick and Angela McNeil at Nations United Church.

Dr. Judy Stevens had an illustrious career as a highly respected educator and dedicated 35 years of her life to education. She began her teaching career at Weiss Jr High in Galveston, TX. She continued her teaching career as a middle school English teacher at Beverly Hills Intermediate in Pasadena ISD. Judy left middle school to be a consultant at the Region IV Service Center, in Houston, TX. This spurred her love for research and presentations on best practices for teaching students. During that time, Judy also was the owner of her own business called The Reading Place, helping struggling students learn to read. After several years, Judy returned to education administration with a focus on leading Elementary Curriculum and Instruction in Tomball ISD. Her final district was Spring Branch ISD where she was the Executive Director of Elementary Schools and left her mark sharing and presenting about “Brain Compatible Learning.”  Judy’s impact was nationwide due to her passion and great communication skills! She inspired teachers to understand their students and how they best learn.

Dr. Stevens was a member of numerous education associations and was the vice-president, president-elect, and then board president of Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) from 1991-1992. She was a part of groups such as “Star Learners” and “Conversation Group” for many years. She also co-authored a book called For the Learners Sake, still sold on Amazon today.

Judy was an avid reader of all genres, enjoyed playing tennis, loved to travel and watch plays at the theater (Hamilton and Wicked were her favorites and she loved the Stratford Playhouse). She also loved playing slots at the casino, shopping for clothes and shoes, spending time with family, especially during holidays. Oh yeah, did we mention she LOVED casinos?

Judy was proceeded in death by her great-grandparents Robert and Lizzie Collins, grandparents- Willie and Evelyn Hawkins, parents – Leroy and Edna Wilson, parents in love- Robert and Mae Stevens, siblings- Leroy and Ronald Wilson; siblings in love- Marvin Johnson, Sr. and Jacque Stevens.

Judy’s legacy will live on in husband- Robert Stevens, Jr, children- Robert Stevens III, Angela Stevens McNeil (Derrick), grandchildren- Christian Hayden, Joshua Hayden, Alexus McNeil, and Alyssa McNeil, great-grandkids- Jordan, Devin, Shelby, and Kyler Hayden, siblings- Gwen (Aaron) Cash, siblings in love- Bobbye Johnson, Fonda Wilson, and Geralyn Stevens, nephews – Marvin Johnson (Leticia), Michael Johnson (Helene), Terrence Wilson, Bo Wilson (Shawna), Jeremy Cash and great nephew- Darius Wilson,  Family Friends-Margaret and IV, Bert and James Campbell,  Ernestine  (Frank) Benton, Lyn and Pete Mefford, and a host of great nieces, nephews,  cousins, friends and colleagues.

Celebration of Life: Friday, July 19, 2024 * 10:00 AM, CyLife Church, 20611 Tuckerton Rd * Cypress, Tx. 77433

Interment to follow service: Forest Park Southwest Cemetery, 9040 FM 359 - Richmond, Tx. 77406

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