Judy K. Thompson (Baxter) Beck

On Feb. 14, 2023, Judy Kay Thompson Beck naturally went to peace after having shared her love with her family on Valentine's Day. It is only now that words can be said, with comfort coming to the family as the stars set one by one, and a new day begins.

Mt. Carmel Hospital, in Pittsburg, Kan., welcomed Judy into this world on Aug. 7, 1964, to the proud parents of William E. Thompson, and his wife Rosa B. (Tabor). Bill, David, Michael, Daniel, and Vicki received a sister, while numerous others gained a granddaughter, niece, or cousin. Everyone that knew her saw her as a friend.

Pittsburg, Kan., was Judy's home until the fifth grade. From there, she moved to El Dorado Springs, Mo., where she graduated high school in 1982. Throughout the 2000's, she would take various college courses of personal interest centralizing around computers and office work.

Love found Judy in 1982 when she met Daniel M. Baxter. They committed themselves to each other with the birth of their first son and were married Sept. 22, 1983. The stork came again in 1989, carrying her daughter, and again with another son in 1993. The year 2003 saw Judy's marriage turn to friendship, with her staying single until Jan. 12, 2008. She added stepdaughters to her family with her marriage to Audie Beck.

When not building a home or family, Judy kept herself employed at various restaurants as a dishwasher and waitress. She also volunteered at the hospital, nursing homes, Moss House, and Community Outreach. She would retire at the end of the day to the comfort of a rocking chair or porch swing, with a cat or dog.

Judy's greatest passion was her relationship with Jesus Christ, to which she attended the First Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church, and First Assembly of God. When unable to attend, she listened on the radio. Her love of music consisted of 80's and 00's Pop, 90's country, gospel, and the Titanic soundtrack, when not in choir. Sketching, painting, and sewing were her hobbies. She blessed the table at Christmas time with lime fluff salad.

Judy's cliff that she couldn't climb was her post-partem depression. Undeterred, she still found the strength to put on a smile and call loved ones on every holiday, and any other time she thought of them. Her love lives on by her brothers, Michael and Daniel; sister, Vicki; children, Justin, Tasha, and Max Baxter; grandchildren, Alayna, Davey, and Carley; husband, Audie; stepchildren, Trisha, Brittany, and Renee; stepmother, Maxine; stepgrandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, with more hopefully to come.

She is joined in death by her father, mother, and brothers, Bill and David. A memorial for her is to be held Saturday, July 22, at 3 p.m., at First Christian Church, in Nevada, Mo. You may contact the family through Justin Baxter (124 S. Easy St., Milo, Mo., 64767).