Judy Kay Melton McGrath was born in Morenci, Arizona on April 7, 1951 to her loving parents Ernestine Oneal Hatman Melton and Lemuel Miller (L.M.) Melton. She attended Morenci schools, growing up and proudly obtained her GED.
Judy passed into eternal life and into the light and arms of her Heavenly Father on June 2, 2017 in Safford. She passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a two year valiant battle with lung cancer. She fought without complaint and with much dignity and grace.
Judy is loved by all her family and many countless friends and in return reciprocated that same love. She lived life to the fullest and was a very tough lady in so many ways.
Judy was a great cook and an excellent hard worker which was passed down from her parents. Following the traits of her beloved mother she worked as a certified nursing assistant at the Morenci hospital in the emergency room, on the floor, and as a receptionist. She also worked for the Duncan schools as a maintenance worker and bus driver. Judy dispatched for the Lordsburg, New Mexico police department and also worked for Dr. Lovett in Duncan for 10 years. 
She was a certified phlebotomist excellent at giving injections and blood draws! Judy worked for Canyonlands Healthcare in Safford and as a security guard/haul truck driver for Freeport-McMoran in Safford. Judy held many other numerous positions too long to list where she knew many people and made friends for life. Her most selfless and meaningful job was taking care of our beloved mother and grandmother for twelve years. Judy had a close relationship with her mother and didn’t consider it a sacrifice.
Judy is survived by: her three daughters, Tammy Mortensen (Mike), of Safford, Lana Martinez, of Raton, New Mexico and Khristi Peterson (Lance), of Maxwell, New Mexico; twelve grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren all of which she loved very much! Judy is also survived by: two sisters; and two brothers.
Judy was preceded in death by: her infant son of two months, Rocky O’Neil Ryther (Neil); her father, Lemuel Miller Melton, her mother Ernestine Oneal Hatman Melton, and her sister Lana Mae Melton.
Funeral services for Judy were conducted Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017, at Vining Funeral Home’s “Chapel of the Valley” by Bishop Brad Montierth of the Solomonville Ward. Concluding services followed in the Virden Cemetery in Virden, New Mexico where she was laid to rest beside her infant son and her parents. Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
