Judith Ellen (Hawblitzel) Minchew

Judith Ellen Hawblitzel Minchew, of Knoxville, passed away on November 28, 2022.

Judith was born in Milwaukee, WI on July 1, 1944. She joined the Navy in 1962 and received a Cold War Recognition Certificate.  She later married and had 3 children.  Her children are Jerry Robert Matthews, Jr (deceased), Dawn Ellen Gray (David) of Woodbury, TN, and Lora Joy Adzima (Andy) of Knoxville, TN.  She remarried in 1975 to Richard Don Minchew who became a wonderful husband and instant father.  He was the love of her life! 

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Hank & Marguerite Hawblitzel, and her son Rob Matthews. She is survived by her husband, Don Minchew, brother, Tom Hawblitzel, daughters, Dawn Gray and Lora Joy Adzima, grandchildren, Dallas, Nick, Dakota, Hannah, Caleb, Judah, Avery, Landon.

Judith was known as a great friend and woman of faith. Her Christian faith was a great influence for many. She was involved in Stephen Ministry, Wesley Foundation, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and she taught Sunday School and Confirmation Classes in the Methodist Church.  She was involved in Bible Study Fellowship and was trained in Hospice Care. She read and notated more than a dozen Bibles for family members and friends.

Judith’s faith led her to use her wonderful gift of hospitality to cook, send cards, and visit the ill and infirm in their homes or nursing homes.  Her all-time favorite thing to do was search for new recipes and cook them for her guinea pigs—family and friends.  Judith was a leader, a straight talker, and you never had to wonder what she was thinking.  Most discussions with Judith would turn to her faith and cooking.  

Judith was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  She will be greatly missed!

A private memorial will be held for family and close friends on a date TBD.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to one of the following organizations: 

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, 110 Tooweka Circle, Loudon TN 37774 

https://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/donations/

Covenant Homecare and Hospice, 3001 Lake Brook Blvd, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37909

https://www.covenanthomecareandhospice.com/giving/

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Minchew Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judith Ellen (Hawblitzel) Minchew, please visit our floral store.