Judy Kaye Carpenter, 64, of Stet, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.

Judy was born on Nov. 26, 1957, in Marshall, MO, the youngest of six daughters born to L.D. and Elsie Bernice (Alexander) Simmons. She was united in marriage to Douglas Cameron “Doug” Carpenter of Stet on June 1, 1986; he survives of the home.

Additional survivors include her mother, Elsie Simmons; four daughters, Jennifer Carpenter, Kourtney Carpenter, Whitney (Marshall) Smith, and Stephanie Carpenter (Steve Smithson); six grandchildren, Kinze Wright, Cameron Wright, Aubree Wright, Tucker Smith, Dawson Smith, and Boone Smith; five sisters, Joyce Pannell, Carol (James) Oglesby, Darlene Rafferty, Sharon (David) Thurman, and Diana (Butch) Hampton; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, L.D. Simmons.

In her shortened time on earth, Judy lived an abundant life, evident by the outpouring of love she lavished on every person fortunate enough to know her. Whether you call her wife, mom, daughter, grandma, or friend, to know Judy is to feel sunshine and experience the love of Jesus.

She had an adventurous spirit that cultivated a love for fast cars and NASCAR at a young age. In high school, you could find her and her girlfriends cruising up and down the streets of Sedalia, channeling the speed of the Earnhardts. That same drive pushed her to be the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree at Central Missouri State University. She began her teaching career in 1980 and continued for 31 years as an educator at Humphrys, Otterville, Stet, and Braymer. During her time in Stet, she met and married her prince charming and best friend, Doug, on June 1, 1986. Their marriage was the beginning of a beautiful legacy of four daughters, six grandkids, and four grand dogs.

She went on to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. Throughout her career, she instilled the love of reading in her students, using different character voices to bring stories to life. You could also find her cheering on her students and daughters at sporting events, showing off her famous splits. That enthusiasm didn't just stop at school. Her "glass half-full" attitude spilled over into every aspect of her life and every person that she met. And you always knew where she was if you heard her one-of-a-kind whistle.

She attended and served at Braymer Baptist Church. On Sunday mornings, she would be in her pew, singing and dancing to the worship music. You could count on Judy to be the first to offer help and the last to release a hug. She genuinely wanted to know how you were doing. Her positivity and smile were authentic and contagious. If you needed a safe place to be yourself, Judy provided it. If you had a hankering for peanut M&M's, she was your girl. If you needed a dance partner, then she was ready to boogie. She was always up for any escapade, especially if there were good tunes along the way!

During the winter, you could find her wrapped up in blankets dreaming of sunshine and sand between her toes. During the summer, you could find those toes hanging off her lake house deck, her hair blowing in the wind during a boat ride, and her laughter coming from a floatie in the lake (as long as the water wasn't too cold).

Her favorite places to travel were the ocean, Disney World, Kauai, and anywhere her grandbabies were going to be. She always had time to listen to her grandkids' stories, help them with schoolwork, and love on and play fetch with her grand dogs.

She was a woman who knew how to live life to the fullest: enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone and relishing a beautiful sunset, being creative with her grandkids, creating Pinterest-worthy bulletin boards at school, crafting gorgeous quilts, being your biggest fan and supporter, giving the best advice, all while considering the feelings and needs of others before herself.

The end of her journey was marked with many setbacks and changes in plans, but she continued to smile and trust the Lord's plan. She is now fully healed, dancing and singing in the presence of Jesus. She was confident that when her life on earth was over, she would begin her eternal life in heaven.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Judy Carpenter Memorial Fund for library books at the Braymer and Norborne Schools. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Funeral services will be held at the Braymer High School Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Please remember to share your memories of Judy with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.