Judy Hubbard

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Judith (Judy) Helen Rice Hubbard of Neosho, Missouri, went home to heaven on September 19th, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Molly (David) Trimble, granddaughters, Fallon and Charli Trimble, sister-in-law, Janice Rice, of Lamar, nephew, Jerry David Hubbard, great niece, Jenny Hubbard, nephew, Todd ( Melissa) Rice, niece Chelsey Rice, great nephews Stetson Rice and Tristan Broyles, god-daughter Elise (Raun) Kunkel and honorary grandchildren Amelia, Silas and Harrison Kunkel.

Judy was born on September 8, 1946 to Helen and Eugene Rice in Joplin, Missouri. She attended Jaybird Country School and graduated from Neosho High School in 1964. As a teen, she often babysat with a cousin and worked at Neosho Drugstore on the Square. After moving to Kansas City, she worked briefly in design and art. A knockout and true fashionista, Judy won the 1967 Chiropractic Posture Beauty Contest.

Judy married Jack T. Hubbard on January 27, 1968, and the two settled in Northwest Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University in 1970 and put her education into practice managing the clothing department for JCPenney. Judy’s eye for design, love for historical architecture and strong work ethic next led to the couple purchasing the historic Garwood Mansion in LaPorte, Indiana. A true labor or love, Judy spent countless hours stripping woodwork, mantels and floors, and wallpapering to the highest of heights to restore the house and turn it into a home. Molly Lydia-Elizabeth was born January 1, 1984, and the happy couple became a happy family of three. The Hubbards moved back to Neosho when Molly entered high school and returned to Jack’s family homestead, now a century farm – another historic house for Judy to make a home. Judy made everyone feel at home.

To attend a gathering hosted by Judy was something to be remembered. Not only was her cooking top notch and her pie crust recipe something to covet – Judy had a way of welcoming people, family, friends, and Jack’s business associates to her gatherings and being truly present in each moment. Judy was a woman of endless talents – painting oils, beautifully creating gifts, clothing and crafts at her sewing machine, tending gorgeous flower beds and mowing the huge yard and runway for Jack’s plane. Playing the piano and singing alto were among her many talents. She even learned to speak German! Through all her talents, there was an undercurrent of hospitality and generosity that will be greatly missed.

Judy’s spirit of hospitality extended far outside her home. She found great fulfillment in volunteering – whether pouring into the youth at Cornerstone Church, the teens at AWANA or witnessing to prison inmates, her genuine interest in people helped win them to Jesus. She was a fierce warrior in prayer, a spiritual mother to many, and was known to have the perfect Bible verse and the perfect prayer whenever anyone needed it. Faith was the cornerstone of her life and her foundation was solidly planted on the Lord. We will miss her greatly, but we rejoice that she is now HOME with her King.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother March 26, 2001, her father, May,1991, her brother Doug Rice, June 9, 2023, and her husband Jack, October 16, 2023.

Contributions in honor of Judith may be made to Samaritan's Purse, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, Missouri 64850.