Judy Christine "Chris" Hobbs

Maryville - Judy Christine "Chris" Hobbs (Hughes) Dr. Judy Christine "Chris" Hobbs (nee Hughes, formerly Simmons), 83, passed away on December 24, 2025, in Maryville, Tennessee. Born on September 4, 1942, in El Dorado, Kansas, she led a life marked by academic achievement and dedication to education.

Chris pursued an impressive academic path that reflected her passion for learning and commitment to excellence. She earned a Bachelor of Teaching from Southwestern College of Winfield (Kansas), followed by a Master of Education from Kansas State Teachers College. Her pursuit of knowledge continued with a Ph.D. from Peabody College. She later earned a second Master of Library Science from Texas Woman's University.

She was the beloved mother of The Rev. David Simmons and Michelle Chenot (nee Simmons), and their spouses Dawn "Micky" Simmons (nee Bewley) and Mark Chenot. She was stepmother to Wayne "Rusty" Hobbs, II and Stephen Hobbs. She was the grandmother of Nelson Chenot, Brendan Simmons, Jacob Chenot and Brigid Simmons.

Chris was preceded in death by her brother, Jackie Hughes; her infant son, Heath Simmons; her father, Harry Hughes; her mother, Juanita Hughes (nee Atkins); her second husband, Dr. Wayne Hobbs; and her sister, Patricia Wolf (nee Hughes). She was the former spouse of Dr. Herbert "Herb" Simmons.

She was a dedicated and passionate educator, remembered for her work in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as a professor of elementary music education at Western Kentucky University, and as an elementary music teacher at Jones Jaggers Laboratory School. Later in life, she served as the Music Director at St. John's United Methodist Church and as the Director of Children's Programming at the Public Television station in Lubbock, Texas.

Many of her students from Jones Jaggers still remember the songs she taught them, such as "Sing a Rainbow" and "It's Raining Today." The legacy of her decades as a music educator lives on in the enriched lives of thousands of students, who, in turn, pass on their love of music to others.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to your local PBS station are appreciated. Donations can be made online at https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/support-pbs/. Condolences can be send to Michelle Chenot, 1013 Harbour Shore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934