Judith (Judy) Meredith Myers was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Colonel Nelson A. (Gus) Meredith and Juanita Miller Meredith on a chilly Thanksgiving morning in 1942. She was the second of three daughters, graduated from College High School (Western Kentucky University’s Training School) and attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Judy participated in many high school clubs, honor societies and as a cheerleader for the College High Cardinals. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in her hometown and taught bible school at the Baptist Church in Lyndon, KY.
She competed in the Kentucky Junior Miss Program (Distinguished Young Women) and was selected to represent the state of Kentucky in the America’s Junior Miss Program in 1960 in Mobile, Alabama. While, subsequently, living in Louisville, she became a member of the board of directors of that organization serving, also, as state judging chairman. Serving in that capacity, she judged numerous pageants throughout Kentucky and oriented the state judging panel to the specifics of the program. During her tenure at that post, Kentucky had more finalists than any other state in national competition. She returned to live in Bowling Green and brought the state program with her, encouraging and mentoring young women to excel.
Judy was hired as a clerk-stenographer at the Bowling Green Post Office and ultimately worked her way through the ranks of the Postal Service becoming the Postmaster at Bowling Green. She held competitive positions as personnel assistant, superintendent of delivery, director of finance, director of support and director of employee and labor relations for the Bowling Green Post Office and 120 area post offices prior to becoming Postmaster. She was a member of the noon Rotary Club and served on the boards of directors for the Equal Opportunity Commission, Downtown Business Association and Crime Stoppers.
Her interests remained close to home after her retirement from the Postal Service. She, her mother and her sister, Cile, foraged a unique antique business by purchasing and, if necessary, restoring New England antiques acquired through travels to the northeastern United States and Canada. These purveyors, also, acquired antiques from the south and delighted in bringing these items to shows and shops throughout south central Kentucky
She has three children; Alicia (Lisa) Jenkins Jaggers, Chalybeate, KY; Laura (Lori) Jenkins Chapman, Madison, TN; and Donald (Dee) Hugh Jenkins, Bowling Green, KY, who survive her along with two beloved grandsons; Andrew Logan Graham, Auburn, AL; and Patrick Thomas Jenkins, Bowling Green, KY and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Judy was predeceased by a very cherished and loving group of family members including her grandson, Mathew Garrett Graham, her mother and father, two sisters and their husbands and her husband Charles (Charley) E. Myers.
She believed her close friends became extended family who greatly enhanced her life; those being; Dawn, Judy, Carol, Bootsie, and Mary Jo.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Barren River Area Development District.
Services are under the direction of J.C. Kirby Funeral Chapel on Lovers Lane. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, April 17, from 1:00pm until 2:45 pm followed by a graveside service for friends and family at Fairview Cemetery.
