Judie Hughey

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Judith Ann Hughey was born to Carmen E. and Emile N. Carrier March 26, 1935, in Pittsburg, Kansas, and passed from this world on February 12, 2018.

Judie enjoyed a loving childhood, spending summers with her grandparents in Franklin, Kansas, and most weekends with her father’s family in Frontenac, Kansas. She had wonderful memories of her aunts and uncles and cousins, and remained especially close throughout the years to Mary Ellen Zafuta and JoAnn (Ron) Black.

Judie started school in Columbus, and at the age of 5 was the mascot and baton twirler for the high school band. Before her Freshman year of high school the family moved to Moran, Kansas, where Judie quickly made many new friends, including her life long friend “Big Sis Elizabeth” Ehlert. Judie attended Cherryvale High School for her junior and senior years, and was homecoming queen and valedictorian of her graduating class.

Judie began her working career at Continental Can in Coffeyville, Kansas, and then worked at Sinclair Pipe Line in Independence, Kansas.

She married Bill J. Hughey on May 3, 1957. They had two children: a son, Mark, and a daughter, Marcia. In 1962 Bill accepted a Contract Administrator position with Aerojet General’s Titan and Apollo missile program, and the family relocated to Rancho Cordova, California. Judie became a stay-at-home mom to raise her and Bill’s two children, but did side work as a regional manager for Coppercraft Guild. Once her children entered school, Judie went to work full time with Folsom-Cordova Unified School in the Special Education department. It was important for Judie to be in the same school district with her children so she could take them to school in the morning, pick them up from school in the afternoon, and spend the same holidays and summers with them.

On May 5, 1973, Judie’s perfect world turned upside down when her husband Bill perished in a traffic accident. Her brother, Andy Carrier, was the principal at Concordia Junior-High School, and he soon moved Judie and her children to Concordia. Judie volunteered at Garfield Special Education classes, and soon went to work for OCCK. Upon her retirement in 2012, she was the Community Relations/Quality Assurance Specialist and supported services for adults with disabilities and Infant Toddler Services. Her OCCK family always remained a special part of her life.

Judie was actively involved in the Concordia community and north central Kansas. She started the Republic County Resource Council in the early 1980’s, and served as either its Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson until the last few years of her life. Before and after her retirement, Judie continued to be actively involved in OCCK activities, and played an active role in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Auxiliary, Fall Fest, and many other volunteer and community events. In recent years Judie especially enjoyed being involved with the Neighbors to Neighbors program.

Judie enjoyed family, friends, sports, fishing, and had a zest for life. She was an avid fan of the Concordia Panthers, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Raiders. She was also a longtime member of Beta Sigma Phi, and cherished many special memories of the times spent with her sisters.
Judie was preceded in death by her grandparents Fred and Bertha Bogina, and Emile and Jenny Carrier; her parents Carmen E. (Bowens) and Emile N. Carrier; her brother Andrew A. Carrier and his wife Bonnie; and her husband Bill J. Hughey.
Judie is survived and will be greatly missed by her son Mark J Hughey, and his fiancé Shay, who make their home in Springfield, Missouri; daughter Marcia K Sorell and her husband Gerald, of Concordia.
Judie is also survived by grandsons Joshua Hughey and his wife Katie, of Sherman Oaks, California; Ryan Sorell and his wife Megan, of Granger, Indiana; granddaughter LaRae Schneider and her husband Greg, of Concordia; granddaughter Witney Sorell and her fiancé Tobias Boese, of Lakewood, Colorado; Levi and Nevaeh, of Sprinfield, Missouri. They will all miss their biggest fan and cheerleader, Grandma Judie.

Judie was also blessed with great-grandchildren Tuesday Hughey, of Sherman Oaks, California, who will no doubt hear endless stories of Grandma Judie for years to come; Issac and Natalee Schneider, of Concordia, who will miss all the wonderful time they spent with “MeeMaw”; Neely and Nolan Sorell, who will always remember their special times with GJ.

Judie will forever have a special place in the hearts of her niece, Linda Krause; nephews Andrew and Gary Carrier; and many great nieces, nephews, cousins, and the countless others who called her “Mom” and “Grandma Judie” throughout the years.

It was Judie’s life passion to help all those who were in need, especially the less-fortunate and those with disabilities. Judie’s family asks that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and sent to Friskel Funeral Home: 230 E. McKay, Frontenac, Kansas 66763.

A loving service will be held for Judie Ann Carrier Hughey at the Friskel Funeral Home, in Frontenac, Kansas, on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.. Judie will be laid to rest at the Pittsburg Garden of Memories, in Pittsburg, Kansas.