Judith McKenzie Toole died Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice in Moore County at the age of 75.
Born February 16, 1947 in Moore County, she was the daughter of the late Archibald "Archie" McKenzie and Vera Lois Moore McKenzie.
She graduated from Pinehurst High School. Afterward, she attended both Old Dominion University and High Point University where she received degrees in teaching as well as journalism. She worked as an editor for the Robesonian in Lumberton and for the Whiteville and Raeford newspapers. She also served as a guardian ad litem for the department of social services.
Her late husband Franklin Toole Jr. worked as a minister for numerous churches in which she was a member. These churches include Westminster Presbyterian Church in Whiteville; Holmes Presbyterian Church in Cheriton, Virginia; Antioch Presbyterian Church in Raeford; Culdee Church in Eastwood; and Troy Presbyterian Church in Troy.
She enjoyed crafts and would often step in as the pianist for the churches where her late husband ministered. Before being diagnosed with MS, she would often hit the golf course with her son Benjamin. She loved cooking and also edited a cooking column for the paper she worked for.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; and a brother, Robert Earl McKenzie.
She is survived by her son, Benjamin James Toole; step-children, Benjamin Coleman Toole and Timothy O'Toole; brother, Archie McKenzie and his wife Karen; nieces and nephews, Jason Cameron and his wife Jennifer, Anna Liles and her husband Joshua, Maegan McKenzie, Emily Holland and her husband Ramone, Robert "Buster" McKenzie and Charles "Charlie" McKenzie; as well as many great-nieces and nephews; and her faithful dog, Gizmo.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Judith's honor to the MS Research Institute, or/and to First Health Hospice in Moore County.
Services entrusted to Midstate Cremation and Funeral Service.