Judy Kay (Ayers) Hurst was born December 13, 1952 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Jessie James Ayers & Myrtle Sue (Simmons) Ayers.

She spent her younger years living in different areas of the United States as her family traveled with her dad’s job on the pipeline.  They settled back in Central Arkansas around the Clarendon and Brinkley areas and Judy graduated from Brinkley High School.  She then started her family and working career.  Judy had various occupations throughout her life.  She didn’t live a boring life and wasn’t about to be bored in a job either.

Judy met Steven Hurst in Rockaway Beach and they were later married on August 25, 1999.  They enjoyed going to animal auctions together and going for long drives especially in the fall so Judy could admire the leaves and nature.

Judy was a yard sale-aholic by birth.  Her mother instilled in her the search for a good deal and things that were unique.  When the weather was too cold to find a yard sale, Judy went indoors, thrift shopping.  Judy was also a woman of faith and attended church.  

Judy’s greatest life work was her family.  From daily morning phone calls to each family member, planned time together every weekend and her extra-special Christmas traditions, Judy made family her top priority.  The love and bond she created between her family will be her legacy.

Judy entered into rest on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield at the age of 69 after getting to watch “White Christmas” with her family one more time and having a pizza party.  She was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Judy leaves behind her husband, Steven Hurst of Kissee Mills; children, Katie Evans (Junior) of Kissee Mills; Lisa Mikel (Duane) of Conway, AR, Tina Byers (Justin Myracle) of Powersite and Jolee Morgan (Amber) of Kissee Mills; her sister, Laura Jaime Hamner and niece Kendel Blair both of Louisiana; ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Dorothy Booth and one granddaughter.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held at the Johnson Community School House on Hwy 160 in Kissee Mills on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 12:00 PM.  Flowers can be sent to the family at 1239 Roberts Ridge, Kissee Mills, MO 65680.

Cremation arrangements were by Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson.