Judith Marie Towler Burgfeld, 63, of Jackson, known to her friends and family as Jude, went home to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center after an extended battle with cancer.

She was born Sept. 10, 1951, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, to Betty Towler and the late the Rev. Ernest W. Towler.

Jude was a graduate of Farmington, Missouri, High School, and received bachelor and master degrees in English from Southeast Missouri State University. She was a teacher at Jackson and Saxony Lutheran high schools as well as at Southeast Missouri State University. She was an inspiration to many of her students and fellow teachers, building friendships that have lasted her whole life.

To her friends, family, students, teachers and others, Jude was always a source of joy. She lit up a room when she walked in, and her creativity and unending imagination empowered everyone around her. Jude lived her life to the fullest, and leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and love.

Jude married her soul mate, Lawson Burgfeld, on Dec. 20, 1970, surrounded by friends and family, and they celebrated unceasing love and had countless adventures in their 44 years of marriage. Jude and Lawson were blessed with two children.

Survivors include her husband, Lawson; a son, Darren (Carrie) Burgfeld of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Jamie (Darren) Hefner of New Wells; her mother, Betty Towler of Ironton, Missouri; four grandchildren, Dori, Max, Layla and Lawson D.; a brother, Bill (Barbara) Towler of Farmington; nieces and nephews; and many beloved extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her father, the Rev. Ernest W. Towler, and a sister, Doris Ellen Elliott.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The funeral will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with interment in St. James United Church of Christ Cemetery in Tilsit.

A woman with many treasured names -- Mama Jude, Mrs. B., Judy -- Jude was a light to the world and an inspiration to many. To honor her memory and preserve her legacy, memorial donations may be made to the following:

• Crossroads Fellowship Backpack Program (more information at jacksoncrossroads.com)
• United Way of Southeast Missouri's Read to Succeed program (more information at unitedwayofsemo.org)
• St. Paul Lutheran Church's music program (more information at stpauljackson.com)

mccombsfuneralhome.com