Obituary of Judy Franks Doebler

JUDY FRANKS DOEBLER

June 21, 1931—December 14, 2023

Judy Franks Doebler died peacefully surrounded by her children, from complications of RSV and Pneumonia. She died as elegantly as she lived.

Judy was born in Tulsa Oklahoma to parents, Ralph M Bryner and Hilda E Bryner. She attended the Tulsa Public Schools until graduating in 1949 from Will Rogers High School. Undergraduate study began at William Woods College in Fulton Missouri, and finalized at Tulsa University with a B.M.E. degree in Music Education. Judy continued her education with a M.Ed. in Elementary Early Childhood Education from University of Arkansas Little Rock.  Her professional life was long and accomplished. Judy began as a Kindergarten teacher at Tulsa Lanier and Waite Phillips Elementary Schools. She continued as Director of the Christian Pre-School and Kindergarten in Little Rock, Arkansas for 9 years, managing 200 children, teachers and parents. Her work continued to the Oklahoma Medical College as a Child Development Specialist for At Risk Kids.

In 1980, Judy moved to Oklahoma City to become the Early Childhood Coordinator for the State Department of Education. She worked tirelessly as part of a small team to develop legislation for state funded programs for Four Year Old’s. This included years of writing curriculum, teaching, and evaluating teachers and school districts in Oklahoma. She communicated the importance of Early Childhood by creating and leading workshops, and by becoming a keynote speaker for Early Childhood all over the United States. She initiated Head Start partnership in providing 4-Year-Old programs in public schools and worked with universities to establish N-2 and Pre-K 3 certification for Oklahoma.  Upon retirement, Judy joined a Tulsa initiative to teach female parolees parenting tools and child development. She also co-created an investment club, played both Masters Bridge and Social Bridge, and joined a group of performing senior tap dancers. Her time was spent sharing seasons of the Opera, The Ballet, and the Philharmonic with close friends.

Survivors include three children; Michele Franks Buxton of New York City, Terri Franks Bonner of Little Rock, Ark and Charles Brent Franks of Dallas Texas. Four Grandchildren; Lauren Buxton of Barcelona, Spain, Marshall Buxton of Brooklyn, NY, Kelly Buxton of Los Angeles, Ca., and Ferrell Bonner of Little Rock, Ark. Two sons in law’s, Bill Buxton and Tom Bonner. One daughter in law, Kay Franks.

In her final hour Judy was asked, “Where do you want to go?” she didn’t hesitate as she gently placed her hand on her heart and answered, “I want to be in your hearts’.