Meet The Family- Grandma Judy

Grandma and I at my High School Graduation
Left to Right: Grandma, Dad, Mom, Me at Gram's grave sight.


At Grandma Simmons 85th Birthday
Clockwise Left to Right: Dad, mom, me, Grandma, Grandma Simmons

Judy with her grandchildren: Left to right: Jessica, Brittany. Emily (Me), and Ryan.

THE BASICS:

Name: Judth Ann Parke

Maiden Name: Simmons

Born: July 9th, 1941 in Oregon

Parents: Verna and Sammuel Simmons

Siblings: Ned Simmons and Bob Simmons

Schooling: Needy Elementry School, Malolah School, Malolah High School, Libarian Certificate in Elementry, Nursing School.

Children: Jeffrey and Greg

Grandchildren: Ryan, Jessica, Emily, and Brittany

Current Job: Retired.

How is she related to me?

She is my Dad's mom, my grandmother

The Details:

Grandma Judy was born to my Great Grandparents Sam and Verna Simmons. Her younger brother Ned is only 18 months younger then her. She has said that they did not always get along because when she was wanting to play doll house, Ned was wanting to make it into a War Zone. She was born in an old farm house in Malolah Oregon. She went to Malolah Highschool her first year and then moved to Corvalis, Oregon. There she met Gary Guptill. She was only 14 and he 18. She actually met Gary's mother first. Judy's younger brother and Gary's younger brother would sail down the river in boats. And since Judy's mother worked it was her job to get younger brother. Hazel (Gary's mom) liked Judy and thought she would do some good for her 18 year old son who would rather work then go to school. They went on their first date to the movies. Gary was the first boy she had ever dated. On July 11th just 3 days after her 17th birthday she married Gary at a Justice of Peace. She got pregnant on her honeymoon. And found herself ver alone since her husband was over seas working in the military. At first she did not even know she was pregnant. But she did keep on getting sick. So her mom took her to the Doctor and she was about 3 months along. Judy was scared out of her mind. You werent alowed to be married and attend school let alone be pregnant. But they hid the pregnancy and marriage as long as she could until she was showing to much. The day she went into labor she had no idea she suddenly felt so energized she made cookies went on a long walk then suddenly it happened at 8 pm she went into labor. It was around the same time Ned her 16 year old brother got his drivers liscense. So Ned drove her and her mother to the hospital. She says it was one of the wildest rides she had ever been on. Her son was born Jeffery Collins Guptill. Gary didnt come home until Jeff was about six weeks old. A few year later she had her son Greg. When Greg was born she had evrything set up perfect. They were liing in a nice little house and she had the Nursery all set up. Gary's mother Hazel Marie came and took care of Jeff. Apparently while Judy was in the hospital Jeff misbehaved very badley. Hazel was determined to get her 3 year old son off the bottle. Jeff did NOT like this idea. Pretty soon he took it out on her by knocking her glasses into the toilet. Needless to say Grandma Guptill gladley gave Jeff back to Judy when she came home.

Soon she found herself home with two children, but as time went on she got a few offers for work. At one point as working as the PTA mother the principal came up to her. He asked is if she would help him set up the first program from Handicaped children in Oregon. So she did. She and two other male teachers ran a classroom of 30 Handicaped children and started the first ever Special Education Program in Oregon. The 30 kids racged from ages 1st grade to 16. After the class was established she decided to work in the Library. She got her certificate in Library Science by taking classes at night. Her Gary and the children moved to Domascus and into a 5 acre lot. She worked as a librarian there as well. They offered her as a job to work as librarian over 2 schools. She decided that was just too much. So instead she raised a U- PICK marian berry farm on her 5 acres and got money from that. During that time Gary decided that he was going to leave the family. Judy began her struggle as a single mom. She worked her way through everything as a secretary at a couple different hospitals. She eventually got her Nursing degree doing full time school and work. The hospital she worked for payed for her schooling! Today she is retired and is enjoying life! She is very active in her home ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has been through so much in her life, and has always been an example of strength to me. She knows the impotance of education almost better then anyone I know. She is a very hard worker. At the moment she is living in a cute little house in Vancouver that she has a beautiful garden on. She loves her Grandchildren. She is a very caring person is willing to help! She has been an amzing help to her ward! I love her so much. I know she has testimoney. SHe says the thing that has always kept her coming back to the chuch is her testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She is such a wonderful example to me!