1944 -2023

Judith Ann Rowton (Gosnell), 79, passed away on December 22, 2023, in McKinney. She was born on September 11, 1944, in Whitewright to James H. (Sonny) Gosnell and Doretha Darwin Gosnell. Simply known as Judy, she grew up in Whitewright and graduated from Whitewright High School in 1963, where she was voted ‘Most Popular’ and was the Head Majorette her senior year. Judy went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Texas Christian University in 1967 and a Master’s degree in education from East Texas State in 1979. Judy was a devoted Horned Frog her entire life.

Judy’s two main career paths were elementary school teacher and District Assistant to United States House Representative Ralph Hall from Rockwall. As a schoolteacher in Whitewright and Tom Bean, Judy made lifelong friends with both students and fellow teachers. Even though her teaching career was completed in the 70s, she loved telling stories of handling a room full of children and could always remember the names of the students who stood out to her. Her largest career accomplishment was working 32 years for Congressman Ralph Hall from 1981 to 2013. She worked for Congressman Hall in the Washington D.C., Rockwall, and Sherman offices. Judy was known throughout her district as a trusted confidant of the Congressman and the perfect weapon to get through government bureaucracy. She even stuck by Congressman Hall’s side when he switched parties from Democrat to Republican in 2004.

Judy followed in her parents’ footsteps by being a great contributor to each community she lived in, whether that was Whitewright, Plano, or Grand Saline. Judy served on countless boards and supported many community endeavors like volunteering for CASA, negotiating Texoma water rights with Oklahoma, and bringing Panda Power to Sherman. Her pride and joy were the annual Memorial Day Reba McEntire concert for the Texoma Health Foundation that eventually raised funds for Reba’s Ranch House. Following retirement, Judy continued her involvement in politics and as a philanthropist through The Vision Committee, Mainstreet Committee, and the Athena Club in Grand Saline. Loved by many, Judy had an amazing ability to remember each person she met, including the important details of their lives. Not only did she remember the important history of her friends over the decades, but she could also track the current happenings in everyone’s lives as well. Judy’s gift was making each person she knew and met feel like an important priority. She will be truly missed by many groups of people spanning not only North Texas, but across the country to D.C. as well.

Judy married William (Bill) Rowton January 9, 1990, becoming stepmother to Michael and Michelle. She enriched Bill’s life while passing along her love of cooking, politics, and country music to Michael and Michelle. Judy is survived by her husband, Bill Rowton; stepson, Michael Rowton and wife, Erin, of Plano; stepdaughter, Michelle Rowton James and husband, John, of Melissa; and grandchildren, Nick James, Julia James, Jason James, Victoria James, Gage Rowton, and Spencer Rowton. She was preceded by her parents, James H. and Doretha Gosnell.

A funeral service for Judith will be held Friday, December 29, 2023, at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in Whitewright Family welcomed guests for a visitation an hour prior to the service. Following services, a procession led to Oak Hill Cemetery for burial.

Pallbearers for the service were Murray Jackson, Darrell Hall, Joe Norwood, David Kemp, Terry Jones, Lanny Joe Burnett, and Dennis Southerland.

May the memories of Judith Ann Rowton (Gosnell) bring comfort and peace to her family and friends during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Grayson College in memory of Judith Gosnell Rowton to the Grayson College Foundation, 6101 Grayson Dr, Denison, Texas 75020.