Obituary of Judith Frances Culberson

Judith Frances DeMoulin Culberson passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020 in Morgantown, WV, her beloved husband Jim at her side. Judy was born to Frank and Wilma DeMoulin on October 2, 1941 in Litchfield, IL, the first of five children. Judy married her cherished companion, Jim Culberson, in Litchfield on April 8, 1962. Jim and Judy's family includes daughters Lynne Culberson Phillips (sons Jonathan, Spencer and Austin Phillips of Ellicott City, MD; Laura Retallick (daughter Mackenzie Frances and son Bryan Retallick) of Champaign, IL; and Sarah Kposowa Culberson of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by brothers Jim [and Sandy] (St.Clair, MO/Maryville, IL), Don [and Debbie] (Beech Bluff, TN); sisters Denise Davis [and Reggie] (Springfield IL) and Nancy Ferrari (Lanesville, IN). After attending Litchfield schools and graduating from Litchfield HS in 1959, Judy worked in the Litchfield City Clerk's office, for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, IL, and later at LSU Medical School in New Orleans before devoting many love-filled years as a fully engaged mother. She moved with her family to Morgantown, WV in 1968. Transferring credits from LSUNO, she graduated from WVU (History) in 1974 and, in 1997, completed her M.S. in Special Education at WVU. After working several years at CESD, a WVU non-profit affiliate, she fulfilled one of her many dreams, teaching and encouraging young readers at Woodburn Elementary School for eight years before retirement. Judy was a lifelong active member of Christian churches and significantly impacted her faith community of 52 years at Wesley United Methodist Church. She joyfully served Wesley in countless ways, including youth ministry, administration, service to elderly and especially outreach mission programs, generously sharing her time, her gifts and her talents. She enjoyed many years of meaningful service with P.E.O. Sisterhood, Ingleside Book Club and was a founding Board Member and major supporter of the work of Sierra Leone Rising in Africa. Judy was and is a light in the pathway of everyone whose life she touched. She devoted herself to her most cherished roles – wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. She was above all else a teacher who quietly but effectively showed everyone she touched how to love all of God's children. She had a gift for helping everyone realize how very special they are, and she encouraged everyone to be the best they could be. She worked behind the scenes, usually with her pen and beautifully decorated papers, boxes, and notecards, to build up the people in her life and to record things that mattered to her heart. Her family will share for now in a private service of farewell, but will look forward to gathering in Morgantown with everyone who loved her, to celebrate her life and the joy she brought to all of us and to so many others at such time as that becomes possible. Judy spent her lifetime in service and sharing. She was a passionate teacher who held a life-long love for, and dedication to, education. She worked to help those who needed support most. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to either: Wesley United Methodist Church Mission Fund, to include work in Africa (WUMC, 503 N. High St., Morgantown, WV. On-line at wesleymorgantown.org >offering>Missions Fund or to the James and Judith Culberson Dean's Honors Scholarship at WVU Foundation. Foundation gifts can be made on-line at give.wvu.edu or by check mailed to WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507. For Foundation gifts, on-line or by mail, please specify fund number 3Z552. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com