Judeth "Judy" Lynne Shoemaker, 81, a beloved mother and compassionate nurse, passed away in Palm Bay, Florida, on April 24, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Born on March 19, 1944, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Eugene and Aleen Potter, Judy spent the early years of her life in Missouri. She graduated one year early from Parkview Senior High School, Springfield, Missouri, in 1961. After her first year at Southwest Missouri State University, Judy married Billy Lee Shoemaker of Aurora, Missouri. She decided to postpone her higher education goals to become a homemaker. Judy and Bill resided near Lake of the Ozarks in Versailles, Missouri and had three children: David Allen, Lisa Christine, and Scott Andrew. In 1975, the Shoemakers moved to Cushing, Oklahoma, in search of a better life during the Oklahoma oil boom of the 1970's.

Judy spent the first part of her adult life as a homemaker and mother, staying home and doting over her children. In 1990, she and Bill divorced, which initiated a new chapter in her life. In her early 40's, Judy began writing this new chapter, choosing her new vocation as a Licensed Practical Nurse. After receiving her LPN license, she worked at Cushing Regional Hospital. Undaunted by challenges, Judy set her sight on becoming a Registered Nurse. Her desire to be a nurse was strong, and she worked double shifts on weekends at the hospital so she could attend classes during the week. It was a grueling schedule; but in 1993, she achieved her goal, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Langston University. In her newfound passion, she sought challenge. She expanded her nursing experience with assignments in the emergency room, surgery, labor and delivery, and home health. While working in labor and delivery at Cushing Regional Hospital, she was on duty when her grandson arrived and was the first family member to hold him. She was very proud of that and cherished that memory of presenting her grandson to his dad. In 1997, following the tragic death of her adult son, Scott, Judy returned to the Lake of the Ozarks area, and she took a short break from hospital nursing to serve as the Director of Nursing for a nursing home. Later, she returned to patient care nursing and worked at Mercy Hospital, a small regional hospital in Lebanon, Missouri. During her tenure at Mercy, she volunteered for a medical mission trip to Belize, South America, where the medical team provided routine family medical care in remote, small villages. It was from Mercy Hospital that Judy concluded her rewarding career as a dedicated professional caring for patients in the hospital's intensive care unit. Never wavering in providing exceptional care to all of her patients, her favorite assignments were in labor and delivery and the intensive care unit. She retired from nursing in 2009.

Shortly after retiring, Judy moved to Melbourne, Florida, to be with her daughter. Despite retiring, Judy was adamant about completing her continuing education requirements to maintain her nursing license. At the time of her death, her nursing license was still current with an expiration date of April 30, 2025. When asked why she maintained her license, Judy would say, "I worked so hard to get it; I just can't let it go." She truly was a nurse until the day she died. Judy was proud to be a nurse, and she loved sharing her nursing stories with the nurses who helped care for her during her cancer fight. She knew exactly how hard their jobs are, and the nurses loved being able to engage in "nurse-speak" with her. Loud laughs usually ensued during their conversations.

Outside of nursing, Judy enjoyed going to yard sales and thrift shops in search of vintage, antique, and unusual items to resell in vintage markets. For her, it was all about the hunt and landing a fantastic buy. Inheriting her mother's green thumb, Judy enjoyed gardening and working in the yard. She could make anything grow and would often "rescue" neglected plants from stores and nurse them back to health. Judy also enjoyed spending time with her children and her grandson, even if it was only for a few moments. Miles may have separated her from them, but they were always on her mind and close to her heart.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Lt Col Lisa Shoemaker, USAF (Retired), of Melbourne, Florida; her grandson, Blake Shoemaker and his wife, Jessica, of Cushing, Oklahoma; her great-granddaughter, Walker Shoemaker, of Cushing, Oklahoma; her brother, Chris Potter and his wife, Judi, of Ellisville, Missouri; her nephew, Gunnery Sergeant Clayton Potter, USMC, and his wife Nicole, of Jacksonville, North Carolina; her nephew, Ryan O'Connor, of Kansas City, Missouri; her great-niece, Kaitlyn O'Connor, of Kansas City, Missouri; her great-nephews, Nicholas and Luke O'Connor, of Kansas City, Missouri; and very special friend, Charles Salveter, of Everton, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Rebecca O'Connor Ibrahim; her brother, Michael Potter; her infant son, David Allen Shoemaker; and her son, Scott Andrew Shoemaker.

A celebration of life will be held in Melbourne, Florida, with interment at Euchee Valley Memorial Park, Cushing, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Judy's name to the William Childs Hospice House, Palm Bay, Florida ( https://hf.org/healthcare-home/health-first-foundation/make-donation ), to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Brevard ( https://spcabrevard.com/donate-now ) or to your local animal shelter or rescue facility.