After a long health battle, Judith Kay Barnes, age 82, of Elwood, was finally reunited with her husband Jack on Sunday, May 14, 2023, when she passed peacefully with her family by her side.
Judy was born in Elwood on January 8, 1941, to the late Everett and Rebecca (Teeter) Barber. On September 21, 1963, she married Jack L. Barnes, and they shared 57 years of marriage together before Jack’s passing in October 2020. Together Judy and Jack took pride in owning The Elwood Call-Leader, The Tipton County Tribune, and the Alexandria Times Tribune until 2023.
Judith was a lifelong resident of Elwood and a staple throughout the community. Judy attended Wendell L. Wilkie High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1959. After graduating, Judy entered the Methodist Hospital Nursing Program and obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Judy practiced as a Registered Nurse with Dr. Scea , who she deeply respected, for many years, before deciding to stay home to raise their three children. Once their children were grown, Judy took over payroll duties at The Elwood Call-Leader. Judy was an original board member on the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation Board, she worked alongside the Visiting Nurse Association, she was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church, and the Tri-Kappa Sorority where she served one year as president of the Lambda Chapter of Elwood.
Judy and Jack were honored to be recipients of the St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation’s Soaring Dove Award. Judy was also an active member of the Elwood Country Club and could often be found getting a round of golf in with Jack or partaking in many of the festivities that took place at the Clubhouse. Judy and Jack had many memories at the Country Club including Judy’s hole-in-one on #6. Judy also enjoyed shopping, cooking, gardening, and traveling, especially to Chandler, Scottsdale, and Sedona, Arizona. Judy was the first MC for the Elwood Variety Show and quickly became known as the “Million Dollar Voice.” She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering and giving back to her community, and she especially enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
Family played an important role in Jack and Judy’s lives and their legacy will live on through their children and grandchildren. Judy is survived by her two sons, Brian (Debra) Barnes of Winston Salem, NC, and Scott (Terry Lovejoy) Barnes; daughter, Anne (Jeff) Bennett of Elwood; grandchildren, Alex (Molly) Barnes of Charleston, SC, Jack (girlfriend, Riley Sullivan) Bennett of Elwood, Lauren Bennett of Ann Arbor, MI, along with special nieces and nephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Rebecca Barber; husband, Jack L. Barnes; and brother, Robert Barber, sisterin- law, Anna Mae Barber, and special aunt Marie (Barber) Major.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 21, 2023, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at Dunnichay Funeral Home, 1113 S.
Anderson Street, Elwood, Indiana.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 am Monday, May 22, 2023, at Dunnichay Funeral Home, Elwood, Indiana with Scott Blaylock officiating. Entombment will follow at Elwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation.
