Judy Ruth (Burge) Arnold, 75, of Puxico, MO, and formerly of Poplar Bluff, MO, passed away on Friday, March 26th, 2021, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. Her death was sudden and unexpected.
She was born on September 23, 1945, to Arlie A. and Elsie (Harris) Burge in Osage County, MO. She was the youngest of seven children. She was raised in Puxico, MO, where she attended and graduated from Puxico High School in 1963. She attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, where she obtained her Master of Science degree in Social Work. She was an active member of the Tri Delta sorority during her college years. After graduation, she began her career working for the State of Missouri at the Division of Family Services (DFS). She was well respected and admired by her co-workers. After 37 years, she retired as the area supervisor III for the Children’s Division in 2002. During her retirement she enjoyed traveling, visiting with family/friends, going to casinos, antique treasure hunting and estate auctions. She also loved decorating and participated in several open houses for Christmas tours and most recently organized the drive through Christmas tour in Puxico in 2020. She was very active in her community and was a member of the board for the Puxico Library. She attended the Puxico Christian Church.
On September 1st, 1973, she married her true love, Robert E. “Bob” Arnold, at the First Christian Church in Puxico, MO. She became an instant (step)mother to three children; Tony, Bobby and Cheri. Bob and Judy enjoyed many happy years together until he preceded her in death on January 16, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Arlie and Elsie Burge; two brothers, Kenneth Brantley and Arlie Burge; one sister, Phyllis Kinnaman; two nieces, Patricia Hon and Brenda Kinnaman.
Ms. Arnold is survived by two sons, Tony E. Arnold (Debbie) of Poplar Bluff, MO, and Robert L. “Bobby” Arnold (Janice) of Whitewater, MO; one daughter, Cheri L. Morgan of Poplar Bluff, MO; six grandchildren, Ashley Cochran (Josh) of Poplar Bluff, Courtney Thrasher (Andy) of Bay, AR., Brandon Arnold (Samantha) of Whitewater, MO, Whitney Bradley (Donnie) of Chaffee, MO, Jade McKnight (Bri) of Poplar Bluff and Tristan Morgan of Poplar Bluff; and five great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Alexis Cochran of Poplar Bluff, Oliver and MacKenzie Bradley of Chaffee, and Lawson Thrasher of Bay, AR.
She is also survived by two brothers and sister-in-laws, Bill and Nelda Burge of Puxico, MO, and Floyd and Valjeane Burge of Poplar Bluff, MO; one sister, Barbara Boone of Leesburg, FL; several beloved nieces and nephews, Paul Ludwig, Pam Hubbert (Perry) and Kelley Kirkpatrick (David) all of Pulaski, TN, Lynne Wasson (Tommy) of St. Paul, AR., Anne Woker, and Art Kinnaman (Kim) of Little Rock, AR., Paula Gratton (Tom) and Laura Burge of St. Louis, MO, Brad Wallace (Kim) of Farmington, MO, Gina Harris (Lonnie) of Waco, TX, Boyd Wallace (Whitney) of Dallas, TX, David Burge (Melissa) of Cape Girardeau, MO, Scott Burge (Kelly) of Puxico, MO, Misty Wiseman (Michael) and Aaron Burge all of Poplar Bluff, MO; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.
She was very social and also leaves behind several special friends, Patricia Burge and Dee Dee Vance both of Poplar Bluff, MO, Chuck and Shirley Fann and Michael Brown of East Prairie, MO, Art and Sandra Norris, Robin Pastori, Lola Fowler, Pansy Barnfield, and Peter and Maryann Coutavas all of Puxico, MO, and Steve Brown of Sanibel Island, FL.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, MO. Visitation for immediate family will be from 9-10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31st, at the funeral home. Public visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with services immediately after at 12 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, MO. Her nephew, Art Kinnaman, will deliver the eulogy and conduct the service and her niece Kelley Kirkpatrick will provide music. Pallbearers are grandsons Brandon Arnold and Tristan Morgan, grandson-in-law Andy Thrasher, nephews Scott Burge, Aaron Burge, and Lonnie Underberg. Honorary pallbearers are nephews David Burge and Michael Wiseman. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Puxico Library.
