I shall never forget her because her personality was so effervescent and she was so vivacious.
At the time she died the cicumstances surrounding her death were so uncommon for little Jackson, Tn - and remain a mystery to me. Some months later I overheard a few rumors/speculation/gossip, but none of it mattered - not to me. Judy was a smart, pretty, friendly, popular, cheerleader with a bright future and big plans.
She was one of very few students who felt free enough to hold even a brief conversation with me. Her seat was in front of mine in Mrs. Parrish's English Class. One day she shared she was planning tp attend Murray State in Kentucky after graduation.
When I read in the newspaper and saw the photo of the bodies being removed from her home across from Hays Ave. Church, I couldn't believe at age 16 or 17 such a thing could have happened to her. I was tremendously saddened by her family's loss of her mother and her at the same time. I thought she was an only child like me, but I wasn't sure. Her passing brought home to me that youth does not protect the young from perishing by what is perceived by most as an untimely demise in such a tragic way. I cried over her because her presence was a bright spot in my usually dismal school days.
I wanted to offer my condolesences, but I did not feel free enough to visit the funeral home because I had never been to a white one. Over 50 years later she is still vivid in my memory.
Brenda Kay Monroe (Moses)
I shall never forget her because her personality was so effervescent and she was so vivacious.
At the time she died the cicumstances surrounding her death were so uncommon for little Jackson, Tn - and remain a mystery to me. Some months later I overheard a few rumors/speculation/gossip, but none of it mattered - not to me. Judy was a smart, pretty, friendly, popular, cheerleader with a bright future and big plans.
She was one of very few students who felt free enough to hold even a brief conversation with me. Her seat was in front of mine in Mrs. Parrish's English Class. One day she shared she was planning tp attend Murray State in Kentucky after graduation.
When I read in the newspaper and saw the photo of the bodies being removed from her home across from Hays Ave. Church, I couldn't believe at age 16 or 17 such a thing could have happened to her. I was tremendously saddened by her family's loss of her mother and her at the same time. I thought she was an only child like me, but I wasn't sure. Her passing brought home to me that youth does not protect the young from perishing by what is perceived by most as an untimely demise in such a tragic way. I cried over her because her presence was a bright spot in my usually dismal school days.
I wanted to offer my condolesences, but I did not feel free enough to visit the funeral home because I had never been to a white one. Over 50 years later she is still vivid in my memory.