Judy Kay Tidwell Jackson, 67, passed from this life to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, just one day shy of her 68th birthday. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Saturday December 11th at Heartland Funeral Home. A private memorial service will be at a later date. Judy was born on December 9th, 1953, in Austin, TX to Aubrey Allen and Billie Jean Hammer. She was the 2nd of six children.
Judy graduated from Leander High School. She got a job at Gellman’s Department Store, where she met a handsome delivery guy who would later become her husband. Judy married Kenneth Larry Tidwell on June 23rd, 1974, and remained married to him until his death. They had three children together. Judy then married Johnny Lynn Jackson on April 4, 1992. Johnny brought with him a daughter, and they had a son together, as well. Judy and Johnny would go on to have many, wonderful adventures over the next 29 years.
Judy held many jobs over the years, with one being the school bus driver and cafeteria worker for the May ISD. She loved the kids on her route, and they loved her. She, also, worked for a time at the Brownwood Health Department, until her health prevented her from doing so any longer.
Judy could do practically anything. She could cook, sew, crochet, quilt and craft with the best of them. She would often make her kids clothes and toys. She loved cooking for her family, and could make a meal out of nothing. One of her favorite past times was going on citizen ride-alongs with Johnny while he was still a police officer. They would, often, travel together, mostly on spontaneous weekend trips to places like Galveston or San Antonio. Judy loved helping with the 4-H program, in which her own children participated through the years. She would, also, judge at the Brown County Youth Fair, another activity she loved. Judy loved watching her kids play sports, and could be seen in the stands cheering them on. She encouraged them in all they did. Most importantly, she taught her children to love Jesus. She was always there to help or lend an ear. Motherhood was her most favorite role, and she did it well.
Judy is survived by her husband of almost 30 years, Johnny Jackson, of Brownwood, TX; two daughters, Jeanette Leigh Lancaster, of Brownwood, TX, and Linda Jackson, of Early, TX; three sons Brian Matthew Tidwell (April) of Houston, TX, Paul Michael Tidwell (Casondra) and Jeff Tyler Jackson, both of Brownwood, TX; two brothers Doug Hammer (Cheryl) of Dublin, TX and Thomas Hammer of May, TX; three sisters Linda Hammer and Tracey Hammer, both of Abilene, TX and Keily Turner (James) of Bangs, TX; six grandchildren, Brayden and Bradley Potts, Natalie and Vivian Tidwell, Lexiana and Declan Tidwell. Judy had nineteen nieces and nephews, multiple cousins, aunts and uncles.
Judy is preceded in death by her first husband of seventeen years, Kenneth Tidwell; her father, Aubrey Allen Hammer; her mother, Billie Jean Hammer; paternal grandparents, William Jess and Jessie Hammer; and maternal grandparents, Archie and Annie Baird.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
