Judy Elaine Burns Harber

Of Wiseman, Arkansas

Judy Elaine Burns Harber, daughter of the late Thomas Earl Burns and Euna Bell Walker Burns, was born June 18, 1954 in Batesville, Arkansas. She departed this life August 3, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 16 days. She was united in marriage to Richard Harber June 2, 1972 and together they raised two children. Judy began her working years at Horseshoe Bend doing a variety of jobs.  Later she attended nursing school, graduated with a nursing degree, and began a long and successful career as a registered nurse. She worked at the Fulton County Hospital for several years before finding her true gift of working in nursing and rehabilitation centers throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region. She worked in different areas until becoming a consultant for a multi-home company. She traveled among homes conducting risk management assessments, training and mentoring staff, and helping each home to provide a better quality of care for residents. She retired from nursing to be with and care for her husband, Richard. Judy was active in the Extension Homemakers Club and "Sassy Quilters" sewing circle. She was active in community affairs by serving on the Rocky Bayou Association Finance Committee, Farm Service Board, Soil Conservation District Board, and volunteered for many years with the Izard County Fair Board. She was the current president of the Violet Hill Cemetery Association. Judy was of the Baptist faith and a member of Wiseman Baptist Church.

She is survived by one son: Doug Harber (Laura) of Wiseman; one daughter: Michele Harber Kerlin (Chad) of Hurlburt Field, Florida; six grandchildren: Suzonne Harber, Allie Richardson, Chance Harber, Kylie Bell Harber, Angela Harrison, and Dawn Kerlin; two great grandchildren: Ava Beard and Finley Shewbuirt; one sister-in-law: Julia Burns of Horseshoe Bend; one brother-in-law: Wayne Boren of Wiseman; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother: Jimmy Rex Burns; two sisters: Betty Brunson and Wanda Sue Boren; and one brother-in-law: Claude Brunson.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Friday, August 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel with Ricky Hellums and Dwayne Burris officiating. Burial will follow at Violet Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers:  Greg Brunson, Justin Burns, Jeremy Burns, Larry Grelle, Chris Melton and Dennis Taylor.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Vera Keylon, Oleta Billingsley, Loma Plumlee, Gail Weaver, Cathy Bennett, Cathy Selph, Sheila Hefele and Nancy McTrailer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Violet Hill Cemetery, Maintenance Fund, c/o Catherine Grills, P.O. Box 22, Violet Hill, Arkansas 72584.