Judy Carol Noland-Prince

Judy Carol Noland-Prince, age 78, of Elk City went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, MO.  

Judy was born December 29, 1945 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to Mary Lucille (Mitchell) Watts and Bython ‘Luby’ Gurley. She was the youngest of four siblings. Judy was a Vietnam veteran military wife and lived her life all over the United States from the Midwest to New England to the South to the Mid-Atlantic and back again to the Midwest. 

Judy enjoyed being active in her church and had a heart for hospitality, Bible study, missions, and women’s ministries. She was always ready to visit and uplift those who were sick or shut-in. She gave her time and love to her local communities by providing meals for the homeless and by being involved in outreach ministries, such as serving those in need through the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet ministries. Judy possessed the rare gift of unconditionally loving and truly accepting people exactly as they were. She never met a stranger she didn’t love, and everyone she met fell in love with her friendliness, her kindness and generosity, and her sense of humor.  

Just as in her personal life, Judy dedicated her entire professional life to helping others. For almost 30 years, she worked as the beautician at Sleepy Hollow Nursing Home in Annandale, Virginia. She was loved and treasured by staff and residents alike.  

Judy is predeceased by her parents, Lucille and Luby Gurley; her baby daughter, Cheryl Ann; her aunt, Pauline Moore of Ayden, NC; her mother-in-law, Retta Taylor of Heaters, WV; her brother, Wilton Gurley; and her beloved sister, Linda Ann Long of Dearing.  

Judy Carol is survived by her husband Robert E. Prince, Sr; her brother Alton Gurley; her son, David W. Noland (Jane); her daughter, Cary R.(Prince) Eldred (Woody); and her son Robert E. Prince, Jr (Joellyn); grandchildren Ashley (Noland) Cossentine (Tyler), Jacob Prince (Jennifer), Morgan (Eldred) Rigg (Evan), Rachel Prince, Melissa (Noland) Fouts (Collin), Leah (Eldred) Tharp (Will), Madellyn ‘Maddie’ Prince; and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a host of first and second North Carolina cousins as well as several generations of nieces and nephews.  

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Judy’s life on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at with visitation beginning at 10:30am and service beginning at 11am, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3167 S 10th St, Independence, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions may be made to her church, First Church of the Nazarene, mentioned above. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com/obituaries/judy-noland-prince .