Judy Ann Kimzey, 80, Nevada, MO, passed from this life on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, surrounded by family at the same family farm on which she was born on May 25, 1946. Judy was the daughter of Cleora “Polly” and Sterling “Coolie” Thomas. She was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Kimzey on April 30, 1965. They shared 50 years of marriage together before his passing in 2016.
Judy spoke of spending her younger years riding her horse Smokey all over the countryside, often to houses of friends, and sometimes even the fourteen miles round trip to town to get pops at the store for a nickel. Judy grew up surrounded by family and spoke often of spending time with them at Sunday dinners on the farm.
After graduating from Nevada High School, Judy worked at the Nevada City Hospital as a floor aide. Later, she and Bob moved to Kansas City, MO where she cleaned apartments at the complex in which they lived. After the passing of her father, Coolie, in 1974, she and Bob moved back to the family farm. She worked as a dispatcher for the Nevada Police Department before starting her 37-year career as a psych aide at the Missouri State Hospital in Nevada. Judy collected and shared many interesting stories from those years and took great pride in helping the many patients that came through her ward.
Judy raised three children, a plus-one, and many more, all with care and love. All kids were welcome and she treated them all as her own. She and Bob’s house served as a second home for many kids over the years. She enjoyed time at the Missouri State Fair and trips to Stockton Lake. She was involved with 4-H and was always ringside at the fair and shows offering her kids and grandkids advice and encouragement. In more recent years, Judy enjoyed memory-filled trips with her kids to Pensacola, FL and Galveston, TX, as well as to many area towns for volleyball games.
Judy was very proud of her family’s achievements and loved watching her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids growing up. She enjoyed family gatherings on the farm, especially for Christmas and 4th of July. The farm was a very special place to her. It was always home. Over the years, Judy and her kids raised many horses on the farm, having as many as thirteen at one time, of which two remain. In her final weeks, Judy’s biggest wish was to be on the farm, surrounded by family, and to see those horses. Owing to her resolve and the love and efforts of her family, that wish came true.
Survivors include her two children, Randy Kimzey and his wife Kristie of Bronaugh, MO, Missy (Kimzey) Wehmeyer and her husband Devin of Nevada, MO, and Eric Bachtal and his wife Patricia of Nevada, MO. Daughter-in-law Dianne (Ashley) Kimzey of Oak Grove, MO. Seven grandchildren, Amanda (Kimzey) Crain and husband Brad of Fair Grove, MO, Korey Kimzey of Fort Scott, KS, Tyler Kimzey and his wife Machelle of the home, Kallie Hardman of Goreville, IL, Zachary Kimzey and his wife Morgan of Bates City, MO, Dalton Kimzey of Oak Grove, MO, and Paula Bachtal of Kansas City, MO. Three great grandchildren, Emersyn Crain and Ada Crain of Fair Grove, MO, and Addison Kimzey of Bates City, MO, and one addition coming soon, Thomas Lemoin Crain of Fair Grove, MO, whom she was very much looking forward to meeting. Two sisters-in-law, Sandra Thomas and Shirley Heathman. As well as numerous other friends and family.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband Bob Kimzey, a son Rob Kimzey, her parents, and brother Gene Thomas and infant brother Jerry Lee Thomas.
A private internment will be held at a later date with family at Balltown Cemetery in Horton, MO.
Memorials are suggested in her name to the American Diabetes Association or the American Liver Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home,
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