Dollie Jewell Cope, known by all as Judy, was born between Txanna and Eufala, Oklahoma on March 3, 1923, passed away on October 19, 2007 in San Jose at the age of 84 in her home of over 54 years. Judy battled lung cancer for the past four years, brought on by exposure to asbestos while helping build Liberty ships in Richmond, California.

Judy grew-up in rural Oklahoma in the Eufala area and moved to Richmond, California when she was 18. She met Jim Cope in 1947 and they married on October 17th, 1948. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary with Kimberly, Bill, Lacey and Joelle Cope, and Jerry and Juanita Thomason with red roses and coconut cake in O'Connor Hospital.

Judy wrote poetry about anything and everything, making every occasion special. Her most well-known and published poem is "I Gotta Be Me." She loved to cook, and was wonderful at it -- from biscuits & gravy, pancakes (frequently with white gravy, too), chicken & dumplings to coconut cake, peach cobbler and walnut "pecan" pie. She was always able to see the good in everyone, and believed each could become the truly good person she knew was inside.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Love Stout; her brother, Sherman; sisters, Georgia and Bessie Stout.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Jim; son and wife, Jerry and Juanita Thomason, son and wife Bill and Kimberly Cope; grandchildren, Lucinda, Ted, Lacey Jewell and Joelle; step-grandchildren, Cindi, Steve, Alan, and his wife, Roz; great-grandchildren, Heather and Michelle; step-great-grandchildren, Casey, Desiree, Alex and Shelby; niece, Cora Shropshire, and nephew, David Lowery.

Viewing will be held 5 to 8 pm, Wednesday, October 24th at the Lima Family Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Memorial service will also be held there at noon, October 25th, to be followed by private interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Judy Cope to your favorite charity.