Judith Suzanne (Sapp) Everett

Judith S. Everett (nee Sapp), 85, died comfortably and peacefully on August 25, 2023 after succumbing to vascular dementia. Judith “Judy”, born November 12, 1938, was a lifelong resident of Portage County, and a descendant of area pioneers who settled in Kent in the 1800’s. Her great-great grandfather worked at Riddle Co. making carriages, her great grandfather owned a grocery and meat counter at the corner of Crane Avenue and Mantua Street, and her grandmother operated Princess Restaurant and Karper’s Restaurant in downtown Kent for 25 years. Her father was a retired Chemical Engineer from BF Goodrich and served several terms as the Democratic Chairman in Portage County. Judy loved her family’s local history and was driven to make her mark on Portage County as well.

Judy worked over 30-years as a hairstylist under the friendship and mentoring of Evelyn Dickerson at Evelyn’s salon in Kent. Judy was never on time to work (or for anything else), but when she did arrive there would be three customers waiting who would only entrust their new hairdo to Judy. While working at Evelyn Dickerson’s, Judy also dabbled as a realtor for a few years, but stuck with her calling in the Salon. During this time, Judy raised her four unruly and mischievous children, practically by herself. It was decidedly not easy, but she managed to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. In her 50s, Judy struck out on her own and opened Doodle’s Riverside Salon and Spa at two locations on Mantua Street in Kent. Judy was a very popular local hairdresser. She had a following of lifelong clients who wanted only Judy to make them look their best - and feel their best after a fun and irreverent conversation with Judy as her scissors clipped.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Ted Sapp; mother, Mildred Sapp (nee Hall); stepmother, Bess Sapp (nee Winland); husband, Dennis A. Everett; her brother, John E. Sapp (Bobbi); and her beloved grandson, Joseph Braun.  Judy is survived by her four children, Millie Braun (Marty) of Alabama, Brian Everett (Laura) of Tallmadge, Neil Everett (Cheryl) of Rootstown, and Noel Everett of Ravenna; sister, Beth Ann Troy of Rhode Island; three loving grandsons, Phillip Everett, John Everett, and Christian Braun; and three nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her dear friend of over 60-years, Helen Dudek of Ravenna, and her partner of nearly 40-years, Gary Striver. Thank you, Gary, for taking Judy to see the world on your many adventures together and for your devout caring and compassion for Judy over the last few years.

Judy will be remembered by friends for her sense of humor, infectious laughter, and sublime talent in the salon, and by family as a loving sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother. For much of her life, Judy desperately missed her mother who passed 60-years earlier and her father who passed in 1999. After such a challenging part of Judy’s life, it is a blessing that they are reunited once again.

Visitation for Judy’s friends will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 from 5:00– 6:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 to be immediately followed by a private family service at 6:00PM.

Services in care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.