Judith Ross, age 81, of Paducah, Kentucky passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.
Ms. Ross was born in Murray, Kentucky on April 1, 1938 to the late Wayne M. and Jessie Louise Powell of Benton. She received her secondary education at Benton City Schools, her Bachelor of Arts, and her Masters Degree in Education at Murray State University. She will be remembered as a master of choral music education, having taught chorus first at South Marshall High School in the 1960’s, Benton High School in the early 1970’s, Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville in the late1970’s and Marshall County High School in the early 1980’s. She directed student choruses and individual students who consistently won superior ratings in the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-State Competitions, and her direction of special local choral music performances were beloved by parents, grandparents, fellow educators, and the communities at large. Ms. Ross, herself, was an accomplished mezzo Soprano vocalist and performed at numerous church and semi-professional events in her 20’s – 40’s. Throughout her life, she loved singing in her church choir.
Ms. Ross is survived by one daughter, Katherine Ross of Paducah, and one son, Charles B. (Goins) Ross, MD and wife Kim, of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren Margaret (New York, NY), Julia (New York, NY) and William (Athens, Georgia). She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles B. Goins, of Lyon County, Kentucky.
Ms. Ross likewise is survived by her brother, Robert W. Powell, MD (Lois), of Louisville, KY, two nieces, DianePowellof Indianapolis, IN, Rachel McComb (Nate)of Jeffersonville, IN and nephew, Dr. David Powell (Angela) of Louisville, KY and several grand nieces and nephews.
Ms. Ross was an avid fan of both the University of Kentucky Wildcats (basketball and football) and Murray State University Racers(basketball) teams. Remarkably, late in life, she also followed the Tennessee Titans.
Ms. Ross was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Most precious of all things, Ms. Ross loved Sunday School, choir, and worship at Immanuel Baptist Church.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Immanuel Baptist Church, 3465 Buckner Ln. Paducah, KY 42001; First Baptist Church 910 Main Street, Benton, KY 42025, or Lourdes Hospice.
A memorial service was held in her honor on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Immanuel Baptist Church.
You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at milnerandorr.com.
