Judyth Ann Hoffpauir Cole, 70, of Orange, Texas, left this world and returned to her Lord and Savior’s loving arms on May 7, 2016. She fought a long battle with cancer, but is now happily reunited with her family in Heaven, where she will great us all with a big smile one day.
Judy was born on May 2, 1946, in Beaumont, Texas, to John Emery “Joe” Hoffpauir and Alice Marie (Smith) Hasson. She by no means had a perfect, easy life. Very often times were tough, sometimes tougher than anyone should’ve had to deal with. But she always pulled through, thanks to her never ending faith and the help of her God. He got her through more things that we can list here, but she always believed in him, and even in her darkest times, she was ministering to others. Constantly sharing her faith with anyone she met, she touched many people with her testimony and her unrelenting belief. She was a member of a number of churches during her life, each one blessed to know her, but her final church was Christian Fellowship Worship Center in Beaumont, Texas. She loved her church dearly, and hated any time she had to miss attending.
The only thing Judy loved as much as the Lord was her family. She loved them more than words can say. Besides the Lord, she considered her daughter, Betty Jo, to be her life and love, and she never failed to show that. She sacrificed so much for her, and gave her all that she could ask for. Judy showed her daughter how to be brave, how to be full of love and grace, and how to rely on the Lord for strength at all times, and she will spend the rest of her life trying to make her mama proud. Judy, or “Nan” as her siblings knew her, was born the first of ten brothers and sisters total between the Hasson and Hoffpauir sides. She considered herself blessed to have the family that she was given, and she loved them all very much. She was there for them whenever they needed, with a prayer or a word of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. She was a rock that never faltered. While her family grieves from this deep loss, they can be reassured with the knowledge that Judy is finally home, at peace, rejoicing in Heaven’s choir.
Judy constantly served the Lord by helping others, whether that was through sharing his word or sharing her talents. A fabulous cook, she collected recipes (a house full, as her daughter will attest to) and would always bring a covered dish to church gatherings or family reunions. In her younger days, she was a baker for the family, making elaborate and beautiful birthday cakes and wedding cakes for anyone who needed them. Over the years, she led Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible Schools, church plays and performances, and coordinated anything that was needed at her churches. Judy also shared the Lord through music, singing in church choirs and visiting nursing homes to sing for those who needed their spirit lifted. She sang specials in church, using her voice to praise the Lord, and while she played other instruments in her youth, most people knew her as “The Spoon Lady”. She played the spoons every chance she got, carrying them always in her purse just in case an upbeat song came on at church or even a family reunion. She used all of her talents and gifts to help others, and we were all blessed because of it.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Roy Hoffpauir; and sister, Connie Philbin.
She is survived by her loving and forever grateful daughter, Betty Jo Cole; brothers and sisters who cherished her, Janice Savant, Dudley Hasson and wife Debra, Fred Hasson and wife Jackie, Parker Hasson and wife Dee, Marion Robinson and husband Art, Charlie Hasson and wife Ann, and Debbie LaFour; her precious pups who miss her lap terribly, Chi Chi and Chloe; and more nieces, nephews, cousins, former in-laws, and friends than anyone could ever count.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, with a gathering of friends and family beginning one hour earlier.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice, in particular Billy Papania and Dr. Kimberly Pitts, as well as everyone at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas for all of their loving support during Judy’s final weeks.
And finally, in Judy’s own words: “We have the hope and joy of seeing each other again soon. Some sooner than others. Time is short. Don’t waste it.”