Judy Gale Monroe went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

She was born in Lansing, Michigan, March 24, 1952, to James (Jim) Walter Southerland and Lola Marie (Southerland) Cabioc. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she was a graduate of Daniel Webster High School's class of 1969.

From childhood on, Judy loved all kinds of music and had a beautiful vocal instrument. She sang in church (choir and solo), competed in vocal contests as a teenager and was a lead actress in her high school's performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Oklahoma!" As an adult, she even wrote and recorded original Christian music, including "Praise the Name of Jesus!"

After a 20-year career with companies across various industries as administrative assistants and other roles, she embarked on a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with Paralegal emphasis – first earning an associate degree from Tulsa Junior College, then earning her bachelor's from Northeastern State University, graduating summa cum laude. In 2000, she decided to pursue a Juris Doctor and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2003 at age 51. She was a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma GOP and the Republican National Committee.

Following a brief stint as an independent attorney, Judy joined the staff at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. There, she successfully represented clients in federal court who sought to establish Social Security benefits due to physical and mental challenges that prevented them from working any longer. She also served as a volunteer with the OK GOP and canvassed for state representative candidates during political campaigns.

Judy loved her family deeply. She was mother to son, Phillip Harris, daughter, Julieann (Monroe) Archer, and stepmother to Scott Monroe. She was the oldest of three siblings including younger sister, Patricia Flores, and youngest sister, Kathy Coulter. Most proudly, she was "Gram" to Dylan Archer (her "Handsome"), Olivia Harris (her "Little Flower"), Heather Harris (her "Heather Feather"), Austin Monroe and Ashlea Monroe-Quigley.

Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Eugene Monroe; father, Jim Southerland; mother, Lola Cabioc; stepfather, Melton Cabioc; sister, Kathy Coulter; and son-in-law, Charles Archer.

She is survived by her son, Phillip and his wife Shelly; daughter Julie Archer; sister, Patricia Flores; stepson, Scott Monroe and his wife Brenda.

Above all, Judy loved Jesus Christ and was a devout student of the Word of God. If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, she would have wanted you to read Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38 and 1 John 1:9.

In lieu of flowers, please make financial donations to Clarehouse.org, or shop with AmazonSmile and choose Clarehouse as your charity.