Judy Fay (Rager) Adkins, 67, of Brashear, Missouri, died Thursday morning March 20, 2014.

The daughter of George Wesley and Lula Belle (Allen) Rager, she was born in rural Adair County on November 5, 1946. On June 25, 1966, she married Dean Adkins, who survives.

Judy is also survived by three children, Belynda Miller and husband Daren of Mililani, Hawaii; DeeAnna Adkins and partner Stacy Vincent of Columbia, MO; Karlon Adkins and wife Heather of Kirksville, MO; five granddaughters, Rebeka Miller; Madison, Alec and Maeve Adkins; and Teryn Adkins; step-grandson Jordan Miller; and step-great-granddaughter Madilyn McClanahan. She is also survived by her six siblings, Helen Morris and husband Charles of Kirksville, MO; Evelyn Williams and husband Jerome of Wentzville, MO; Allen Rager of Creston, IA; Kathleen Lawrence and husband Bill of Greentop, MO; Lonnie Rager and wife Vicki of Greentop, MO; and Joyce Salter and husband Raymond of Brashear, MO; and several nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her oldest granddaughter, AnaBelle Fay Miller.

Judy graduated from Kirksville High School in 1963 and Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College (now Truman University) with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1967. She taught at the Schuyler R-I School District for two years after she graduated, then began farming full time with Dean. Her farming specialty was swine farrowing.

Judy was a volunteer 4-H leader from about 1977 to 1992 when her children were 4-H members. Through the years, she was both club leader for Salt River 4-H Club and leader of multiple projects including clothing and foods.

From 1985 to 1987, Judy was a member of Missouri’s Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program. Her class traveled to China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Washington, D.C., and around the state of Missouri to learn about agriculture in other countries and meet with agricultural leaders.

She resumed teaching full time in 1991 and taught gifted education at Schuyler and then special education at the Atlanta C-3 School District until 1995. She completed most of her course work for a master’s degree during those years.

Judy and Dean have enjoyed traveling to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Her hobbies included collecting pig-related knickknacks, sewing and playing games.

Beginning in 1991, Judy battled inflammatory breast cancer, which metastasized to her brain in 1993, followed by another type of breast cancer in 1995. Due to complications from these illnesses, including seizure disorders, a stroke and congestive heart failure, Judy had lived at Kirksville Manor Care Center in Kirksville since July 2005.

Judy’s last years were brightened by visits from Dean, her children and grandchildren, her sisters, and other family members and friends.

Public visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, March 23, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Darrell Draper officiating. Interment will follow the service at East Center Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Debra Lawrence, Traci Chrisman, Cindy Kitts, Kurtis and Travis Salter, and Jordan Miller. Music will be rendered by Madison Adkins and Annabel Zimmer with organist Donald Cooper accompanying.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Judy Adkins may be made to the East Center Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.