Barbara Evelyn Judy

Barbara Evelyn Judy passed away peacefully at 91 years old, leaving behind a legacy of hardwork, resilience, and love. Born to Laura and Clarence Henry Singleton in Brunswick, Missouri, on June 30, 1933, Barbara was one of seven children; she grew up knowing the value of dedication and perseverance.

During her early school years, Barbara moved with her family to Kansas City, where she lived from ages 7-13. She then returned to Sumner, Missouri, where she remained until she met her husband, Morris Lee Judy. Once married on January 16, 1951, they moved to Hale, Missouri and began a life of partnership as a farm family—a place filled with love, hard work and the smell of home-cooked meals.

Growing up, Barbara contributed to the family income in resourceful and innovative ways. She worked in a local restaurant, was a telephone operator in Sumner, and even became known for pin curling women’s hair because “no one could do it quite like her.”

After becoming a wife and mother of four children, Barbara’s days were full—cooking three meals a day, raising a large garden, and taking on a variety of jobs to help support her family, including: bookkeeping for the Sumner Goose Processing Plant, working as a nurse’s aide, selling Tupperware and Avon, picking up ear corn, and working at the Hale Locker. Barbara’s work ethic was unmatched and did not diminish with age.

Beyond her many responsibilities at home and work, Barbara was deeply involved in her community. She was an active member of the VFW, a dedicated 4-H leader, a room mother, an election worker, and served as the local Township Tax Collector. Her commitment to service reflected her love for her neighbors and her town.
Barbara found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was an avid reader, a skilled gardener, and a true dessert connoisseur. She was a talented seamstress, making her children’s clothes, including her daughter’s wedding dress. Barbara also loved babysitting her grandchildren. Eventually, her focus transitioned from sewing to piecing quilts, making one for each grandchild. Her sharp wit and fierce independence remained with her throughout her life, endearing her to all who knew her.

Barbara’s life was a testament to strength, love, and an unyielding spirit. She will be remembered for her humor, her heart, and the many ways she made life better for those around her.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Henry & Laura Singleton, her husband, Morris Lee Judy, her siblings, John Henry, Bill, Richard, Charles, and Lee Singleton, and her son, Gerald Judy.

She leaves behind three children, Steve Judy (Helen), Richard Judy, and Deanna Wynne (Jim), as well as eleven grandchildren, Traci Heussner (Scott), Jennifer Gilson (Kris), Miranda Brotherton (Shane), Nathan Judy (Marcy), Trisha Maggart (Jeremy), Tiffany Fitzpatrick (Luke), Chelsey Admire (Justin), Wade Judy, Amanda Judy, Sami Wynne, and Jessica Brenton (Cameron), and many great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind siblings Kay Lundgren (Rich) and Anne Singleton, sister-in-law Betty Singleton and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Her absence leaves a quiet space in our lives, and she will be deeply missed.

Graveside services will be held at Hale Memorial Gardens, Hale, Missouri, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Hale, Missouri, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friends may call at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Liberty area friends may greet the family on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the Tutt Chapel of Second Baptist Church, 300 E. Kansas City Street, Liberty, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to one of the causes Barbara cared about and supported: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or Liberty Meals on Wheels and/or Liberty Community Center and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Hale, Missouri.