Julia Youngblood Obituary, Death – Mrs. Julia McClanahan Youngblood died Thursday, October 26, 2023, at The Pinnacle of Oxford, MS. Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., Dr. Gary Richardson will officiate at Waller Service Home Chapel. Before the service, visitation begins at 10:00 A.M. A 3:00 P.M. graveside service will be held at Columbus Friendship Cemetery. Judy Mc was loved by all, had a golden heart, never met a stranger, and gave her time, talents, and money generously. She was a great friend who helped her family and friends for free. Julia Spight and Willis Harris McClanahan, Jr. had her in Columbus, Mississippi, on October 20, 1943. Mississippi State College for Women awarded her a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Education in 1965 after she graduated from Columbus’ S. D. Lee High School in 1961. Her Master’s is from Southeastern Louisiana Tech.
Judy Mc met Robert Youngblood, her future husband, while student teaching at Columbus’ Caldwell Junior High School. After student teaching in Columbus, she taught in Atlanta for a year. Judy Mc married Robert and taught chemistry and science in Columbus after Atlanta. Judy Mc always wanted to learn. An enthusiastic instructor wants to share her love of learning with all ages. Her 1975 honors included Star Teacher, Outstanding Young Educator for Columbus, and Outstanding Young Woman. This award shows that Judy Mc was loved and respected by her students and helped them flourish. At school, she always sponsored cheerleading or classes. After Robert was offered a coaching position at Southeastern Louisiana University, they moved to Hammond, Louisiana, where she taught.
Robert coached at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, so they moved there. In Oxford, Robert became Ole Miss Rebel football coach under Billy Brewer, their final shift. Oxford Junior High hired middle school science teacher Judy Mc. After retiring from teaching, she helped schools adopt creative hands-on scientific programs with Soil and Water Conversation. Oxford Bible Study, Garden Club, Junior Auxiliary, Mahjong, and Bridge clubs included Judy Mc. North Oxford Baptist Church was her church before her health troubles. Judy Mc enjoyed entertaining her nieces and nephews. She loved teaching and traveling with kids. She attended church, sports, and school. She made memories with them.
Judy Mc was a caring sister, aunt, and wife. Her 57-year-old husband, Robert Youngblood, and sisters, Martha Helen McClanahan Southerland (Thomas) of Columbus and Mabel Murphree (Bill) of Tupelo, survive her. Her parents died. Her sister-in-law, Betty Jean Youngblood Bowers, her nieces, Elaine Bowers Coventry (Garth), Julia Katherine Southerland Eaton (Chad), her nephews, Trea Southerland (Heather), Steven Bowers (Stacey), Will Murphree, and Jim Spight Spight (Amy), and her great nieces, Kylie Bowers and Emma Sp Trea Southerland, Steven Bowers, Will Murphree, Jim Spight Murphree, Brett Brewer, Gunter Brewer, Mike Fitzsimmons, and Jay Webb are her pallbearers Honorary pallbearers were Faye and Gary Massey, Annette and Jerry Lee, Ruth and Danny Caldwell, Sandra and Danny Baumann, Scotty and Brenda Holmes, Jeff Busby, Pat Patterson, Blake and Donna Barnes, Tommy and Dale Boatright, Jim and Peggy Hartsfield,
