Judy Maxine Newton Stonestreet

Obituary

Mrs. Judy Newton Stonestreet, 75, went Home to the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, from the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville.

Born in Mooresville, she was the eldest daughter of the late Cecil and Betty Christenbury Newton.

Judy was an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) with the Iredell County Emergency Medical Service. She was an assistant crew chief of "B" shift. She was also, for some time, a volunteer in the Iredell County Rescue Squad. Judy was Iredell County's first female nationally-registered paramedic, an achievement in which she took great pride.

As a teenager, Judy had been a Girl Scout. In that organization she earned the Curved Bar, equivalent to the Boy Scouts' Eagle rank.

Judy, or "Mama-J," as she was called by her students and co-workers, also taught for Mitchell Community College. Both she and her husband were members of Mooresville High School's Class of 1966. It was while in high school that Judy was inspired by the TV show "Emergency!" to pursue a career in emergency medicine. During high school she volunteered as a "candy-striper" at Lowrance Hospital. Also, she worked at times for a veterinarian, a dentist, and several general practitioners.

After four years in the Navy, Chip and Judy returned to Mooresville and helped with the MHS Band, then under Mr. Ray Wood. Judy and another lady helped with the color guard, while Chip helped with the horn line. They also chaperoned on many band trips, including a train trip to Washington, D. C., where the MHS band marched in the Cherry Blossom Parade.

Judy was a nationally-certified examiner through Mitchell Community College, teaching future EMTs, firemen and police officers how to save lives. She loved seeing her grandsons, playing with her dogs, and helping those who needed help. She and Chip were ordained elders at Fifth Creek Church in the Cool Spring community where Judy organized the preparation of Easter baskets for children and took canned food donated by the congregation to Iredell Christian Ministries.

Judy is survived by her husband, O. C. "Chip" Stonestreet, of Statesville; son, "Chris" Stonestreet and grandsons Blake and Ryan; sister Nina Newton (Mrs. Joseph) Wall, of Mooresville; brother-in-law Jeff Stonestreet, of Statesville; niece Ashley Flynn, (Mrs. Matt) and children, of Charlotte; and by many cousins and in the area. Chris teaches history at MHS. Judy was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susannah Carol, when Judy and O. C. were stationed in Florida during his Navy service. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Newton.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Iredell Christian Ministries Food Pantry and Crisis Center in Statesville.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd, at Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church, 1547 Mocksville Hwy. Interment in the family plot at Fifth Creek Church will be at a later date.

The family gratefully acknowledges kindnesses and care rendered to Judy at Iredell Memorial Hospital, Autumn Care and the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House following her stroke.

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