Judy Jacobs, 75 of Drexel, Missouri passed away March 13, 2026 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, March 20, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, March 21, 2026, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers to Kansas City Hospice House or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Judith Evon (Gunnels) Jacobs was born February 3, 1951, to Kenneth and Helen Ruth Gunnels at their home on State Line Road in Drexel. She grew up in the Drexel area and graduated from Drexel High School in May of 1969. She married her love and husband, Donald Jacobs, on March 13, 1971, in Merwin, Missouri.
Judy, or “Grammy J” to most, was a woman of God who never feared hard work. Whether she was mowing the yard or baking a pie, she put her whole heart into everything she did. She spent many years teaching the youth of Merwin Christian Church, from the nursery class all the way to the high school youth group, even venturing to CIY in Oklahoma or Young Christian’s weekend in Branson with the youth group. (Oh, the stories she would tell.)
The pride of her life was her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. She told everyone she could about her “most precious great-granddaughter” and showed pictures to anyone who would take the time to look. God’s timing allowed one big Jacobs family vacation in July of 2025, giving her family memories to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Judy was preceded in death by her brother, Jim Bob; her parents, Kenneth and Helen Ruth Gunnels; her nephew, Jeremy Gunnels; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph Jacobs, Kathy Purkey, and Sheryl Yoakum; and her mother and father-in-law, Elmer and Sarah Alene Jacobs.
Judy is survived by her husband of 55 years, Don Jacobs; her daughters, Dawn Denise (Del) Elffner and Jennifer (Chuck) Martin; her siblings, Jay Gunnels, Jo (Tim) Billingsly, and Jan Rush; as well as her sister-in-law, Jackie Gunnels. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Marissa (Tanner) Townley, Alec Elffner, Jacob (Laura) Martin, Mason (Kenna) Martin, and Abby Elffner; and the light of her life, her great-granddaughter, Emerie Rae Townley, along with many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT
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