Roll Call Tribute

Julie Ann (Keath) Livingston 

June 28, 1969 - July 23, 2024 

Julie Ann Keath Livingston, loving wife, amazing mother, big sister, niece, cousin, aunt, friend, and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ finished her earthly race on July 23, 2024 at the age of 55. She was born June 28, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas, to Dan and Madis Keath. She was the older sister to Sarah.

Julie grew up and attended schools in Hondo where she excelled in academics, band, and athletics. As a freshman in high school, she was a member of the State Champion Hondo Owl Marching Band. She also played volleyball, basketball, and tennis. She earned All-District and All-Area honors and was the District MVP in Volleyball. In tennis, she and her doubles partner made it to state, 30 years after her dad and his partner accomplished the same feat. Her senior year, she was the drum major of the Hondo Owl Band. Academically, she finished third in her graduating class.

Following high school, she attended Texas A&M University where she promptly gained 30 pounds due to afternoon soap operas and Blue Bell. She also decided 8:00 am classes were much too early to attend, especially if they were Biology. The next semester, she got back to her competition weight and got a more favorable schedule. At graduation in 1991, she walked the stage Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Following graduation, she was introduced to Brad Livingston, who became her greatest complement. She and Brad were married at the First Baptist Church of Hondo on December 30, 1994. Julie '91 and Brad '94, proudly counted themselves among 25 relatives that attended A&M, dating back to her grandfather, Medford Keath, Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1938. Whoop! 

In 1996, Brad and Julie moved to San Antonio where they planted their roots at the First Baptist Church of San Antonio. It was there they made lifelong friendships and met those that would mentor and love them during the best and toughest times of their marriage. This same year, Julie began teaching at Meyer Elementary in Hondo. She got to teach alongside her mother which made every day better. That was especially true in 2001, when she became pregnant with Susanna.

Earlier that same year, Julie’s sister had her first child, Julie’s only nephew, Price. Over the next two years, two more babies would arrive – Macy, and Julie’s niece, Tessa. Since Julie and Sarah lived so close, they spent most days together with the four children. In 2008, Kyle was born and was the final piece to the Livingston 5. The kids remember this time as constantly being together at the Castroville Regional Park, at HEB, and at their grandparents’ house. The two families would also carpool to church twice a week and take advantage of “Kids Eat Free” at Luby’s.

As the kids grew, Julie was a steady spectator at soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and cross-country events. She taught children’s choir, helped cook countless youth group dinners and attended youth camps. She also returned to teaching at Castroville Elementary where she became part of a community that showered her with support and love when she faced her toughest cancer fight.

In 2010, Julie learned she carried the BRCA-1 gene mutation, which put her at an increased risk of developing certain cancers. This journey would have mostly ups, but in 2019 the cancer returned and spread to multiple organs. She again faced this battle with such a fierceness that it was an inspiration to all who treated her and loved her. She was in partial remission until this past April when the cumulative effects of years of treatment caused her liver to begin failing. Through these seasons, the Livingstons were recipients of so many prayers, kind gestures, and casseroles from their churches, friends and family. Susanna, Macy, and Kyle got to watch their dad fulfill his vows to their mom when he promised to love her “in sickness and in health” almost 30 years ago.

Julie felt that her highest calling was being a mother to Susanna, Macy, and Kyle. Her happiest times were sitting around a large dinner table listening to her grandparents, parents, and other family members tell stories. She was always ready for an adventure with Brad, including an Alaskan Cruise this past May. She cherished running up to College Station for lunches with Susanna, heading to Mobile to watch Macy run, and the quick trips with Kyle to let him have Taco Bell. For her final birthday with us, she told her brother-in law, Bobby Jack, that she wanted to celebrate at the Frio River with them. She got that wish. She also got to enter into Heaven’s gate holding the hand of her hero – sister Sarah.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Madis Keath.

Julie is survived by her husband, Brad; children, Susanna Kay, Macy Jane, and Kyle Guthrie; sister, Sarah and her husband Bobby Jack Rushing; In-laws, Ken and Susan Livingston; brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Cresta Livingston; aunts, Jane Witcher and husband Seth, Ann Keath, and Janice Stewart; nieces, Eden Livingston and Tessa Rushing; nephew, Price Rushing; and many extended family members.

We rejoice that she is healed and cancer free with Jesus. The Livingstons want to give special thanks to the MD Anderson Palliative Care Unit, Second Baptist Church Youth Team, Faith Bible Church and the Legacy Prep Christian Academy family for the love and support they’ve shown us this final chapter.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, Texas. A reception will follow the memorial service. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Sabinal Cemetery.