Judith Kay Jones

In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate in Judy’s memory to your local church or school’s pre-school program.

Judith Kay (Judy) Jones 74 of Nixa went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Judy was born in Neosho, Missouri to Hershal and Virginia Needham on March 17, 1948.

She attended grade school in Northview, Missouri in a one room schoolhouse then attended school in Goodman, Missouri through her sophomore year. Her family then moved to Palace, Missouri when she finished high school at Plato High School graduating in 1966. Judy attended Missouri State (SMS) graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 1970.

Judy married her high school sweetheart, Richard Lee Jones on 24 July, 1968 at Roby Baptist Church in Roby, Missouri. She then joined Richard in Pearl Harbor where he was stationed in the Navy. Judy was a dedicated Navy wife traveling with Richard on tours in Hawaii, Italy, Connecticut, Virginia and Illinois.

Judy had a successful career while accompanying Richard. While stationed in Virginia Richard and Judy enjoyed working with the youth program at Brentwood Baptist Church for which they served for 12-15 years.

Her true calling was working at Promise Pre-School at Southgate Baptist Church after she and Richard retired and returned to Missouri where she served for 19 years. She faithfully and joyfully served as pre-school teacher and acted as interim director. Colleagues and children always knew “Miss” Judy would have a ready smile, a hug or whatever they needed.

After leaving Promise Pre-School Judy began volunteering with the Reading Buddy Program at Nixa Schools and was looking forward to helping again this year (post Covid).

Judy has a real passion for crafting. She went to craft fairs near and far with family and friends every chance she got. She especially enjoyed the fellowship with her crafting group. Her crafting with them resulted in a collection of craft memorabilia. She found joy in giving her craft projects away to her loved ones. If you knew Judy, you probably had one of her homemade wreaths hanging on your door. Judy and her sister were always finding something new to craft and shared their ideas.

Judy enjoyed watching and discussing Hallmark movies and other shows she and her sister enjoyed.

Judy was a great cook who loved collecting recipes and cookbooks. She enjoyed making candies at Christmas for teachers, friends and family. She could remember everyone’s favorite dish for a potluck and was always the first one to start washing dishes afterward. She was full of life and always on the go. She loved spending time with family and how much we enjoyed her delicious (dirt cake). She has been teaching Aubrey to cook and was looking forward to teaching her some special dishes. She was a skilled card player and competitive scrabble player and Dominoes (Train).

Most of all Judy was a caring woman of strong faith who loved her family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Judy was a devoted mother to Ryan and loving and proud grandmother to Aubrey. She and Richard were married for nearly 54 years and shared a beautiful life together.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Hershal and Virginia and sister Linda.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Richard, son Ryan and granddaughter Aubrey. Her brother Gary (Lynn) Needham of Plant City, Florida and family. Her sister Pam Welch of Big Piney, Missouri and her family. She also leaves behind a host of family and friends.

Funeral Service will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2022, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Following services, burial will take place at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.