Judith Anne Mann

Judy Rader Mann, 67 of Canadian, stepped into her heavenly home with a triumphant smile Monday, Oct 2, 2023, in Amarillo with the love of her life, Matt, by her side.

Visitation 4:00 to 5:30 pm, Thursday, October 5, 2023, Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Canadian Methodist Church with Rev. David Gerhardt, pastor, officiating. Immediately following, burial will be at the Lipscomb Cemetery in Lipscomb.

Judith Anne Rader was born September 28, 1956, in Shattuck, Oklahoma to Don and Esther Rader. She attended Canadian Schools and graduated with the class of 1975.  Her CHS Class of ’75 hosted a gathering in Judy’s honor several months ago, showing their love and appreciation for her friendship. Judy was a member of the Methodist Church for many years. She married Matt Mann, her soulmate, on April 18, 2010. Matt and Judy spent 23 years together ranching, collecting pets, and living life to the fullest. 

Judy learned many life skills during her years in 4-H.  She participated in riding club, livestock, foods, leadership, and the yearly dress review. The skills and lessons learned in these projects helped prepare Judy for her career and life in the country. She graduated from OSU and began her life as an educator. Judy wasn’t just a teacher to her students. She invested in their lives, serving also as mentor, counselor, and each child’s personal cheerleader.  She taught elementary education and home economics at the Higgins School until her retirement.

Judy was an original. As some might collect rocks, she collected her fur babies, who lived in luxury. She was a talented horsewoman.  Judy received tremendous joy from her horses, and her cattle. She loved her peacocks and other birds.  Judy found joy in the little things; flowers, sunshine, butterflies, bees, and even watching sunsets and the moon. She loved her family and friends fiercely and showed her love in many special ways. Her nieces and nephews fondly remember sleepovers, horseback rides, movies, gardening, baking, sewing, crafting and much laughter and love.

Whether it was a trip to the feed store, to check cattle, or go to a George Strait concert, Judy made everything fun. Her ornery little smile and laughter was infectious.  She loved to visit and was always interested in what others had to say. Friends have stated that Judy was that friend who could not see a person or talk with them for a year, then resume the conversation as is if they had spoken yesterday. Nurturing and loving people was second nature to her.

There wasn’t anything Judy couldn’t do.  She could whip up a wonderful meal, make a quilt and move a pasture of cattle before you could get your horse saddled.  She was known to sew a dog coat out of a coyote hide or find a fox and put him in the freezer for Matt to find. Once a friend asked her why her finger was all black.  Without thinking it was unusual, Judy calmly explained that she had cut her finger and sewn it up with the heaviest thread she could find. When attending a surprise birthday party for a neighbor, she presented the honoree with a beautifully wrapped package.  No one was prepared to see the live chicken pop out of the box.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Don W. Rader, brother Don W Rader, Jr., sister Nancy Schwerzenbach, and several furry friends.

Those left to share Judy’s memory are her husband, Matt Mann of Canadian, her mother, Esther Rader of Canadian, sister, Cathie Barney and husband Ronnie of Stillwater, Oklahoma brother, Steve Rader and wife Linda of Canadian, sister, Betsy Alexander and husband Tim of Canadian, brother-in-law, Chris Schwerzenbach of Canadian; nieces and nephews, Chris Barney and wife Jill, Mollie Godwin and husband Ty, Justin Rader and wife Bryn, Haley Ward and husband Bryce, Sarah Marks and husband Aaron, Rachel Schwerzenbach and Josh Kirkhart, Caroline Crouch and husband Doug, Sam Schwerzenbach and wife Shelby, Ryan Alexander, Annie Wells and husband Jonathan, Emily Alexander and 12 great-nieces and nephews; an abundance of friends, as well as the queen of the household, an elderly hound named Mabel.

The family suggest memorials may be sent to Mesa View Senior Living, 106 Teas Circle, Canadian, Tx 79014, Canadian Methodist Church, 520 E Main, Canadian, Tx, 79014, or your favorite charity.