Judie L. Ballard Spooner

Born at Beverly Hospital in Montebello, CA on July 29th, 1944. She was the first child of William Boyd and Mryl Ballard. Her first home was on Burger street in East Los Angeles. In 1948, the family moved to Plymouth street in North Long Beach. This was her home for the rest of her childhood.

Judie had five sisters (Peggy, Wendy, Kerry and Gaylene), two brothers (Leonard, Glen) and two step-siblings (William Boyd Jr. (BJ) and Megan). She attended Bret Harte Elementary, Lindbergh Junior High, Jordan High School and Long Beach City College. She was married to John Luster in 1965, with whom she adopted John Luster II in 1972. She lived with John in Hawaiian Gardens, Placerville and Citrus Heights California. After her divorce from John in 1977, she moved back to Long Beach, remaining there for the rest of her life. She married Don Spooner in January 1979, and gave birth to her second son, James Spooner in February 1980. She became a grandmother in January 2000, with the birth of Jack Luster and again in 2003 with the birth of her second grandchild, Andy Luster. Despite having a 3000 mile distance from her grandchildren, she reveled in all their activities and accomplishments. She was doting, loving "Grammie" to the two boys; always sending them little gifts and cards. Judie was also surrounded by 32 nieces and nephews and 55 grand-nieces and nephews. She deeply cherished the time she spent with all of the extended Ballard family. Her husband Don passed away in 2009.

She worked full time most of her life as a Mom, wife as well as outside the home. Her first long-term job was with Bullocks department store of Lakewood. Upon moving to Placerville, she became a teacher’s aide at the Gold Trail Elementary School. Upon returning to Long Beach, she was hired as a bookkeeper at Fenn Termite and Pest Control where she worked over 30 years until her retirement in 2010.

Judie had several lifelong hobbies. She was an avid doll collector, focusing on smaller, older vintage dolls. She was a long time member of the Lakewood Memory Lane Doll Club. She loved to collect lions of all sizes and shapes. She also loved to collect rocks. She would collect them on her vacations as well as asking others to bring her home interesting rocks from interesting places. Growing up in Southern California, she had a passion for all things Disney. She was an annual pass holder to DisneyLand for many years, with a regular family trek on Labor Day. She collected Disney toys and movies as well as amassing an extensive collection of Disney vinyl recordings.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, attending multiple wards in Long Beach and Northern California. She had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, exhibiting his gospel in her everyday cheer, happiness and charity. She showed a deep and constant love of both her family and friends. Judie was generally a quiet, shy person, never seeking the limelight or extravagance. However, she always had a warm smile and kind word for all.

Judie developed breast cancer in 2007, initially beating it into remission until it returned in 2011. Judie passed away on August 29th, 2011 in her lifelong home on Plymouth street. She was surrounded by the love of both her immediate family and close friends in her last days on this earth. She was a quiet, but abiding presence of love in this world that will be sorely missed.

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401

www.luybenfamilyd-m.com