Obituary of Judith Ann (Reed, Mathews) Isom

STOW - Judith Ann (Reed, Mathews) Isom went home to Jesus on January 24, 2021 at the age of 80. She struggled for several years with multiple health issues, then contracted the COVID-19 virus in early January. Judy was born in May 1940 to George and Marguerite Reed in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She attended Mt. Vernon High School and then earned her Music Education degree from Ohio University in 1962. After graduation, she married Norman Mathews and taught music in southern Ohio for two years. Judy then took a break from her career to raise her three daughters, Wendy Jo, Andrea, and Kendra. The family moved to Twinsburg, Ohio in 1967, where Judy lived until all three girls graduated high school. She faithfully and energetically supported her daughters in all their activities (and there were a lot!), attending every possible music performance, athletic event and banquet. Judy was active in the Amway organization for many years, through which she met and made life-long friends. She returned to teaching in 1983 and earned her certification in Special Education from the University of Akron in 1989. She held a variety of special ed and music roles, primarily at Twinsburg City Schools and at Western Reserve Psychiatric Habilitation Center in Northfield, Ohio. After Judy met Zeddie “Lee” Isom at a church singles group, the two exchanged vows in 1989. They resided in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio for a few years and then moved to Inverness, Florida shortly after retirement. They loved living in Florida, met many wonderful friends, and found a church home at New Testament Baptist. After Lee joined his Heavenly Father in February of 2020, Judy moved back to Ohio to be closer to her oldest daughter, Wendy Jo. Judy was a faithful believer and lifetime church member. She loved music and brought joy to many congregations with her singing voice. In her “grandma years”, she loved to cook, work crossword puzzles, use Facebook, and keep up with all the activities of her grandchildren. She was also a dog-lover and enjoyed multiple ‘grand-dogs’ in addition to her own dog, Maggie. Judy joins the following loved ones in heaven: Parents, George and Marguerite Reed; brothers, George “Don” Reed and Sherry “Buck" Reed; husband, Zeddie “Lee” Isom; ex-husband, Norman Mathews; son-in-law, Chris Brown, and stepdaughter, Karah Isom. She is survived by daughters; Wendy Jo (Larry) Marsinek of Stow, Ohio, Andrea (Steve) Miller of Overland Park KS, and Kendra Mathews (Walter Clark), of San Antonio TX; grandchildren, Spencer (Mandi) Marsinek, Karl Miller, Graham Miller, Joseph Clark, Jewelia (Reed) Darragh; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; four stepchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. Due to the pandemic and for everyone’s safety, Judy requested there be no public memorial service. Cremated remains will be interred by Redmon Funeral Home to a niche at Stow Cemetery in Stow, Ohio. Judy and her late husband were strong supporters of their church’s overseas missionaries. In celebration of Judy’s life, donations can be made to New Testament Baptist Church. Please make checks out to the church and include “MISSIONS for Judy Isom” on the memo line. Mail to New Testament Baptist Church, 9850 S. Parkside Avenue, Floral City, Florida 34436.