Judith Anna Burge Scarbrough passed away at her home after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her family. Judi was born March 11, 1950, to Samuel and Juanita (Purnell) Burge in St. Joseph, Missouri. Judi attended elementary school in St. Joseph. She began her high school career at Lafayette High School.
After her parents' deaths, she moved to Mound City, Missouri where she was cared for by her uncle and aunt, Tracy and Dollie Burge. Judi graduated from Mound City High School in 1968. She then earned her cosmetology license and worked for many years at the Uptown Beauty Shop in Mound City.
It was in Mound City where she met her husband, Gary. They were married on September 1, 1973. Gary and Judi raised 2 children, Jason and Jodi.
Judi was a natural caregiver. She loved being a mom and aunt, caring for family and friends, and was passionate about working with the elderly. She left her role as a beautician and became Executive Director of Evans Circle. She cared for each of her tenants as if they were a member of her own family. She retired in 2012 after 29 years.
Judi was as crafty as they come. She loved crocheting, painting, sewing, and in later years, quilting. When her children were young, they had the most creative Halloween costumes, birthday cakes, and Valentine’s Day boxes thanks to her abundant creative spirit.
Judi was also a fabulous “old fashioned” cook. She made sure friends and family were stocked with her homemade noodles. With Gary’s bountiful garden, she still canned vegetables each summer to last throughout the year.
Friends were such an important part of Judi’s life. If you knew Judi, you know she never met a stranger. She maintained a close friendship with her childhood friends “Hot Chicks” and still met up with them monthly to laugh and support one another.
Though Judi cherished her roles as loving wife, mom, and aunt, her greatest joy came the day her grandson, Andrew was born. Mama, as she was known to him, was the best playmate, game for anything, and creator of orneriness a grandson could ask for.
Judi’s spunk and tenacity allowed her to valiantly battle lung cancer for 8 years. She set goals for life events she wanted to attend and squashed all predictions of her initial diagnosis survival estimates. Her friends and family will be forever grateful for the laughs shared and memories made during these years.
The family wants to thank her medical team at the KU Cancer Center, Three Rivers Hospice, friends, and family for their ongoing support throughout Judi’s illness.
Survivors include her husband, Gary, of the home; son, Jason of Maitland, MO; daughter and the son-in-law, Jodi and Mike Pecora and grandson Andrew of Kansas City; sister, Nita Thornton (Jerry) of St. Joseph, MO; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kay and Mark Sitherwood of Bigelow, MO; brother-in-law, Marc Scarbrough (Dana) of Mound City; mother-in-law, Dolly Scarbrough of Mound City; best friend, Jeanie Mackey of Mound City; numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 2:00 P.M. Saturday, First Christian Church, Mound City. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service.
