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Mrs. Julia Elizabeth (Badgett) Badger

  • November 19, 1920 - March 2, 2011
  • Grand Rivers, Kentucky
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Julia Badger

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Memories & Candles

“DUPRASS - Kurt Vonnegot's term in ;Cat's Cradle' for 2 people who are such soul-mates they pass within a week of one another. I'm so glad our...Read More » ”
1 of 31 | Posted by: Suzanne Likens - Albuquerque, NM

“I first met Mrs. Badger when I was 11 years old while a classmate of Rhea's.... I remember thinking she was so beautiful ~ always reminding me of...Read More » ”
2 of 31 | Posted by: Kathy Lovitt - Palos Heights, IL, IL

“I am so grateful to have gotten to know the Badgers. They were individuals and a couple that you would aspire to "grow up" like. Julia always had a...Read More » ”
3 of 31 | Posted by: Chris and Robin Stamper - friend

“Aunt Judy made me feel Special!!! She had such a gift for loving people and I'm so blessed to of loved her, Always will. I just want to thank Uncle...Read More » ”
4 of 31 | Posted by: Beth Johnson Wheeler - PA

“So sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort you and your family during this time. God bless! ”
5 of 31 | Posted by: The Coil Family-David,Julie,Jordan and MacKenzie - KY

“May God be with you at this time of your loss. may the sweet memories give you comfort along with the prayers of those who love you. ”
6 of 31 | Posted by: vickie nelson - mayfield, KY

“Julia was a lovely lady. I will always appreciate the kindness she showed my daughter, Kim. Julie sent Kim a poem she had written just a few weeks...Read More » ”
7 of 31 | Posted by: Jo Ruth West - Melber, KY

“I am thankful for many things. Near the top of the list is the fact that my late husband Tom and I met the Badgers. Chett's work took him to...Read More » ”
8 of 31 | Posted by: Kathleen (Katy) Turner - Joliet, IL

“What a beautiful woman!!! My heart goes out to the family of Mrs. Badger. I know she will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the...Read More » ”
9 of 31 | Posted by: Darla Hicks - Hardin, KY - friend

“So sorry for your loss, I thought alot of Ms Julia & Chett. Your family is in our prayers. Patty (Smith) Dixon ”
10 of 31 | Posted by: Patty Dixon - friend

“WE WILL BE IN PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY DURING THIS TIME. WE WILL HAVE THIS ON OUR PRAYER BOARD IN SUNDAY SCHOOL TOMORROW. MAY GOD GIVE THE FAMILY...Read More » ”
11 of 31 | Posted by: CHARLES AND FAYE WHITNELL - KY

“Such a beautiful lady. We didn't know her, but we feel your loss. You have been in our thoughts and prayers these past few days. Thinking of you as...Read More » ”
12 of 31 | Posted by: The Embry Family - Bowling Green, KY

“The most beautiful and generous person I have ever met. I love you! ”
13 of 31 | Posted by: Craig Belcher - Metropolis, IL

“I was named after Aunt Julia's mother and I named my baby Elizabeth in honor of Aunt Julia and her grandmother. Aunt Julia told me that I should...Read More » ”
14 of 31 | Posted by: Rhea (Badgett) Ashby - KY

“Chad and the Badger family, We extend condolences on the loss of your parents. We will hold you close in our thoughts and prayers. May God give...Read More » ”
15 of 31 | Posted by: Kenneth Heath and Claudia O'Neil - KY

“Dr. Badger, Sonny and I want to extend our condolences to you and your family. My dad just died in June and left Mom after being married 69 1/2 ...Read More » ”
16 of 31 | Posted by: Sonny and DiAnne King - Boaz, KY

“Bless all of you as you go through the hard days ahead. ”
17 of 31 | Posted by: Vickie Barnes

“So sorry to hear of your loss. May God Bless. ”
18 of 31 | Posted by: Lezley Doogs

“Chad, LaTresa and family. I am thinking and praying for you and the entire Badger family. Love you, Lisa ”
19 of 31 | Posted by: Lisa Bone

“May God bless each of you in this time of loss. ”
20 of 31 | Posted by: Paula Adkins - Hawesville, KY

“We are so sorry for your loss, but we celebrate with you the victory they have both attained in getting to go "home" together. In my mind I see them ...Read More » ”
21 of 31 | Posted by: Martha, Jody & Jared Hardin - KY

“To Chad and the Family im sorry for the lost and i will be praying for yall and keep in mind in my heart and prayers to again im sorry for the lost.. ”
22 of 31 | Posted by: Allen Collie - Friend

“Chad, I am so sorry to hear of your parents passing. Please know that Tracey and I will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. ”
23 of 31 | Posted by: Donna Tharp Brewer - Atlanta, GA

“I did not know the Badgers very well, but in the near 3 years I have been at the theater, I always thought it was so nice that they made a point to...Read More » ”
24 of 31 | Posted by: Anna Coleman - Grand Rivers, KY

“To Chad and all of the Badger Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. ”
25 of 31 | Posted by: Alta and Gerald Cole - Hickory, KY

“To the Badger Family, I am writing this memory for both Mr. And Mrs. Badger. First, let me say that I know you all are facing a hard time with both...Read More » ”
26 of 31 | Posted by: Kirk A. Dripps

“Chad and LaTresa, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of both your mom and your dad. I know you will feel the loss but also the comfort that neither...Read More » ”
27 of 31 | Posted by: Kim West - Dogwood, KY - friend

“TO THE ENTIRE BADGER FAMILY: MRS. JULIA HAS GRADUATED. I HAVE HEARD HER REFER TO HER PASSING AS (GRADUATION) SEVERAL TIMES. AND WHEN SHE WOULD TALK...Read More » ”
28 of 31 | Posted by: PAULA SKINNER - KUTTAWA, KY

“Badger Family...Chad, LaTresa and family... Rhea and family... Ms. Julia was undoubtedly one of the greatest ladies I've ever known. She had a...Read More » ”
29 of 31 | Posted by: Stephanie Rice - Grand Rivers, KY

“My memories of Mrs. Badger are of an elegant,beautiful,amazing lady. She was a woman of virtue and a true inspiration for all of us that knew her....Read More » ”
30 of 31 | Posted by: Lisa Jacoby Reeder - IL - Friend

“Here's to you Julia Badger - For all you've meant to the Jacoby family over a lifetime, we thank you and send our love. We cherished you in life and...Read More » ”
31 of 31 | Posted by: Catherine Jacoby Conroy - IL


To view the Memorial Service held Saturday, March 12, 2011 in the Badgett Playhouse Theater in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, proceed to: http://www.eventbywire.com/viewevent/?id=460-789

To view a video tribute to the life of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winfield "Chett" and Julia Elizabeth (Badgett) Badger, proceed to: http://memorial.yourtribute.com/CharlesWinfieldBadger

Julia Elizabeth (Badgett) Badger was born on November 19, 1920, in Ranger, Texas to parents Rhea and Russell Badgett, Sr. Julia graduated from Memphis Central High School in 1938, attended Louisiana State University and graduated from National Park College, Forest Glen, MD.

In February 1942, Julia married Charles "Chett" Badger in her parents' home in Memphis. Shortly after their marriage, Chett went to work on the Manhattan Project and they moved to Richland, WA., where the government had build the Hanford Plant Nuclear Facility. It was so secret that he could not tell her anything about his work...until after the war.

Over the next 28 years, with Chett's work, they made their home in Madisonville, KY, Perrysburg, OH., Wilkes Barre, PA., and Palos Park, IL. Upon the death of Julia's father in 1973, they moved to Grand Rivers, KY., from Illinois so Chett could take over the family business, Badgett Terminal, a rail-to-barge coal terminal on Kentucky Lake. Shortly after arrival in Grand Rivers, Julia purchased property in downtown Grand Rivers and opened several retail shops known as Ridgetop Mall, selling antiques, clothing, kitchen items, homemade fudge, fabrics and a year-round Christmas Shop. She even built a small chapel on site for public use. She was President of the Grand Rivers Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years. She and Chett also bred racing quarter horses at the Julia-Rhea Ranch in Will County, IL and later in Livingston County, KY.

Julia always had an inquisitive mind and was not shy about rendering an opinion or sparking a debate. Well versed on many subjects including politics, she has stumped and challenged theologians, academics and politicians with her matter-of-fact, but astute demeanor and style. As a thespian in college, she carried her talent into the real world by writing and performing one-women shows, delivering book reviews with aplomb, writing advertising and marketing pieces and directing plays. She has been as public speaker, a singer, painter, and could cut a "mean" charleston. In the 1960's, she served on the Board of Reagents of Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO. Throughout her life, she made it her mission to help those in need in the community through "quiet philanthropy" (often anonymously) and was a long-time member of the Calvert City Presbyterian Church. No matter how busy, she always took time to write her congressman.

Julia's oldes son, Russell W. Badger and foster daughter, Mary Lou Merch Badger Knight preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 69 years Charles Winfield “Chett” Badger who passed away at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2011. She is survived by two sons and one daughter; Kirk Badger of Benton, KY., Rhea Badger of Grand Rivers, KY., and Dr. Charles (Chad) R. Badger, Sr., of Mayfield, KY. She has 5 grandchildren: Tanya Strecker, Northglenn, Colorado, Brandi Gaizutis, Denver, Colorado, Nikki Badger, Castle Rock, Colorado, Charles R. Badger, Jr., Mayfield, KY, Julia Rhea Badger, Mayfield, KY and 2 great-grandchildren in Kentucky and Colorado.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Badgett Playhouse Theater in Grand Rivers, KY. Adel Ambler and Bill Minihan will officiate. Private family entombment will follow. Friends may call at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Badgett Playhouse Theater in Grand Rivers, KY.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Calvert City 639 Evergreen St. Calvert City, KY., or to the Rizpah Shriners, 3300 Hanson Rd., Madisonville, KY 42431-5863 or to the Salvation Army, 2229 Louisville, KY 40201.

An online register book can be found at www.collierfuneralhome.com