Judy Marcum

(From Parker Mortuary)

Judy loved to send customized greeting cards made specifically for you and your occasion. If you got one it was special. In that same spirit, she wrote and revised this obituary over the years for your enjoyment and hers.

Obit for Granny

Judy Marcum was the "middle" daughter born March 5, 1947 to James Henry Beasley and Jephy Earl (Ward) Beasley. Judy made sure she told everyone two things - she was proud to be "an Okie from Muskogee" and the fact she was the "middle" child didn't hold her back and often gave her excuses for what she pulled.

Judy was a banker for 32 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Prior to that her first job was working for Joplin Printing (she loved Benton Whitaker) then was Security Supervisor at Joplin Regional Airport "back in the days" before xray machines and you had to physically go through passenger's carry on items.

She was hired at First National Bank & Trust Company in 1980 which later became First National Mercantile, Mercantile, Firstar then U.S. Bank. In 2001, she was invited to join Southwest Missouri Bank and run their Senior Account, Lifestyles. She did that until her retirement March, 2012.

Judy married Lee II, her high school sweetheart and together they had 2 wonderful children; Lee Wilson Marcum, III and Jill Nicole Marcum. After Lee II's passing, she spent 19 fun years with Bob Fry who helped her with "entertaining" her clients on bank trips.

Judy was raised at Forest Park Baptist Church and was a Baptist all her life. She loved the Lord with all her heart and prayed daily.

Judy's greatest memories were all the years she watched her son and grandchildren race at Mo-Kan Dragway.

Judy was a "people" person and had fun everywhere she went. She has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi, LEO Chapter since 1976, joined P.E.O. Chapter AS in 1992 and held many offices in both of those organizations. When she retired she found many new friends when she began playing the card game "Hand & Foot". She also became an actual member of the SMB's Moneymakers Investment Club where she served 8 years as Recording Secretary. For many years Judy was an active committee member with the "Class of 65". In her working years she was proud to have driven the Joplin Senior Center van for 17 years where she picked up the folks at their home, dropped them at the Center for lunch then went back to get them and take them home. Judy also served many years as an ambassador for the United Way.

Other than Judy's parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jill Nicole Marcum: a sister, Janice Leah Carr; husband, Lee Wilson Marcum, II and companion, Bob Fry.

Judy is survived by her son, Lee Wilson Marcum, III and wife, Laura who was more like a daughter from Springfield; three grandchildren who were the LOVES of her life, Dr. Jordyn Nicole Karns (husband, Dakota), Ft. Collins, CO; Lee Wilson Marcum, IV, Springfield and Jenna Elese Capra, Aurora, CO; a sister and brother-in-law Jimmye Dean and Brad Fagan, Joplin; brother-in-law, Bill Carr, Bixby, OK; nephews Bret Fagan, North Port, FL, Dr. Blake Fagan (wife, Rachel), Asheville, NC and great nephews and nieces, Billy Carr (wife, Joy), Tulsa, Rebecca Fagan, Mary Claire Fagan and Bradley Fagan. And we can't forget her fur babies who were always by her side.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to any no-kill animal shelter or to Cottey College.

Thanks for reading her obit. Interestingly, we have found 3 greeting cards that she recently created, but not yet delivered. For these 3 lucky people, we will deliver them in person on her behalf.

A Celebration of Life will begin with visitation at Parker Mortuary on Sunday April 14th from 1-3 pm. Also at Parker, Memorial Service on Monday April 14th at 10 am followed by graveside service at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.