Judith Head Gwinn

Judith (Judy) Ann Head Gwinn, beloved wife of Richard Gwinn, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died on March 6, 2012 at the age of 74 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Judy was born on March 3, 1938, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born to James Earl and Clara Mengerhausen Head and had three siblings, James, Carolyn and Richard. She attended Tulsa Central High School and Oklahoma University where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and graduated with a degree in elementary education. Judy married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Richard (Dick) Gwinn. They were married for over 52 years and had three children. As a football coach's wife, Judy lived in Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, and Missouri before moving to Arkansas. She taught for 38 years and was Teacher of the Year for her schools in Texas, Missouri and twice in Arkansas. She adored her students and her fellow teachers and was still team teaching up until the time of her death. She became an avid skier in Utah, a tennis player in El Paso and was a lifelong Sooner fan. Judy was an active member of Highlands Methodist Church and the Bentonville P.E.O., Chapter V. Judy is survived by her husband, Richard, and siblings Carolyn Briggs and Richard Head. Other survivors are her three children and their spouses, Leslie and Gaines Bagby of Austin, Texas; David and Leslie Gwinn of Edmond, Oklahoma; Robert and Jennifer Gwinn of Little Elm, Texas. "JuJu" will be greatly missed by her nine grandchildren, Nathan, William and Kathryn Glenn; Ryan and Jake Gorman; Meg and Sarah Gwinn; Haley and Kelsey Gwinn. Judy is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jim Head. Judy's motto in life was "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" and she inspired us all with how she lived out her motto. The service will be held at Highlands Methodist Church located at 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, Arkansas on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Judy Gwinn Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Arvest Bank, P.O. Box 1229 Bentonville, Ark. 72712. The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Travis, the staff of Highlands Oncology Group, Dr. Kathleen Schmeler at MD Anderson and Circle of Life Hospice. They are especially thankful for her family at Spring Hill Middle School and Judy's special angel, Dee Dee Myers.