Judi Mears Craig

July 25, 1938 – September 15, 2026

Judi Mears Craig passed away on September 15, 2026, at the age of 88, after a long and

courageous battle with cancer.

Judi was born on July 25, 1938, in Palestine, Texas, to Mildred and G.B. Mears. Her family later

moved to Calvert, Texas, where she and her brother, Tommy, grew up and graduated from high

school.

Judi met and married Jerry West Craig and attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she

also worked as a secretary in the Chemical Engineering Department. Together, Judi and Jerry

welcomed two children, Russell and Jeri Ann. After Jerry completed his master’s degree in

engineering, the family moved to Baytown, Texas, where they raised their children. Although

Judi and Jerry later divorced, they remained friends and continued to share a lifelong bond

through their children and family.

In 1968, Judi began working for Goose Creek ISD. Within a few years, she was promoted to

administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools and later became administrative assistant

to the district’s Board of Trustees.

Judi served as administrative assistant to the Board of Trustees for 32 years. During that time,

she worked with 62 board members and 16 superintendents. She was trusted and respected for

her intelligence, professionalism, discretion and exceptional knowledge of the district. She was

someone who could always be counted on and who handled her responsibilities with confidence

and grace. Although Judi retired in January 2000, her connection to Goose Creek ISD never truly

ended. For the next 27 years, she continued to return to assist with Board elections and provide

vacation coverage, sharing her knowledge and experience while continuing to support the Board

and the district she loved. In total, she served the district for 59 years.

Judi’s contributions extended far beyond the Board office. She worked closely with the Public

Relations Department, helped coordinate and oversee countless district events, and built lasting

relationships throughout Goose Creek CISD and the community. She knew the history of the

district, the people who helped shape it, and the importance of serving its students, staff, families

and community. Many people thought of her as the district historian. Judi also served as a state

officer in the Texas Educational Secretaries association as well as serving on the first

Administrative Committee for the Money Purchase Pension Plan.

As proud as Judi was of her work, nothing meant more to her than family and friends. She

treasured time with her daughter, Jeri Craig DeFeo and her husband, John DeFeo; her son,

Russell Craig; her grandchildren, Kyle Craig, Kali Craig, Matthew DeFeo, Michael DeFeo,

Craig DeFeo and Braden DeFeo; and her great-grandchildren, Caydo Lee and Kash Lee. She was

known to be one of the loudest fans from the sidelines at her grandchildren’s many sporting

events, rarely missing an opportunity to attend.In 2021, Judi lost her son Russell, who died at the age of 60. Her family takes comfort in

imagining their reunion and knowing that mother and son are together once again.

Judi was blessed with an extraordinary circle of lifelong friends; some of those friendships

spanned more than 65 years. Her friends were truly part of her heart and soul, and she loved

them dearly. That love was returned many times over, particularly during her battle with cancer.

Her friends surrounded her with encouragement, transportation to and from treatments, loving

care, companionship and comfort—and even helped care for her beloved dog, Sage. Their

devotion meant more to Judi and her family than words can express.

Judi loved to travel and spent many summers and holidays in Crested Butte, Colorado, with her

daughter, Jeri Ann; son-in-law, John; and their children. Those years together in the mountains,

surrounded by family, became some of her happiest times and some of the family’s most

treasured memories.

And then there was Christmas. Christmas was Judi’s favorite time of year, and to her

grandchildren, she embodied the spirit of Christmas itself. She loved bringing the family

together, shopping for the scarcest Christmas gifts and cooking what they considered the best

pies in the world, and making sure everyone listened to hours—and hours—of Christmas music.

The family will forever remember her many beloved “Meme-isms,” which could make everyone

laugh and could only have come from her.

Her family also knew that Judi prayed for each and every one of them daily…or, more

accurately, continually. They took great comfort in knowing they were always in her prayers, and

they now find comfort in believing she will continue watching over them from Heaven as their

own personal angel.

Judi was an avid reader and loved historical novels. Jeri planned a birthday trip in honor of

Judi’s 80th birthday. Jeri Ann and Judi explored the history of Paris on guided walking tours

through its streets and museums, rode bicycles through Versailles, lingered over meals at outdoor

cafés and, of course, shopped until they dropped. It was a special adventure between mother and

daughter and a memory they treasured. More than once, Jeri had to translate Judi’s thick Texas

accent for the local Parisians!

Judi believed deeply in serving others. Throughout her life, she was involved with numerous

charitable and civic organizations and participated in Harris County elections as a county

elections judge. She was also a longtime and devoted member of Memorial Baptist Church in

Baytown, where she was an active part of the church family. Her faith and church community

were a source of great comfort throughout her illness, supporting her through difficult times and

joyfully celebrating with her during periods of remission.

Judi was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and G.B. Mears; her brother, Tommy Mears;

her nephew, Steven Mears; her beloved son, Russell Craig; and her half-brothers, Donald and

Johnny Mears.

She is survived by her daughter, Jeri Craig DeFeo and her husband, John DeFeo; grandchildren

Kyle Craig and his wife, Kayla; Kali Craig; Matthew DeFeo and his wife, Lucy; Michael DeFeoand his wife, Katie; Craig DeFeo; and Braden DeFeo; and great-grandchildren Caydo Lee and

Kash Lee.

A celebration of Judi’s life will be held on October 26, 2026, at Memorial Baptist Church in

Baytown, Texas. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.

Judi’s family extends special thanks to the extraordinary people of Gunnison Valley Health and

Hospice, the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, the hospital nurses and EMS personnel, and

the many special people throughout the Gunnison and Crested Butte communities, who cared for

Judi in her final months in Crested Butte. We will be forever grateful for the compassion,

generosity, care and kindness shown to Judi and our family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judi’s honor to the Gunnison Valley Health

Foundation by selecting “ways to give."