Judy Carman Obituary

Judy Ann Carman, 81, of Bolivar, passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield after battling cancer and other illnesses.

Judy was born in Amsterdam, Missouri on Feb. 27, 1944, to Glen and Ruth Bays (Seiner). Judy was saved and baptized at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.

She attended Bolivar schools and graduated from Halfway. After high school, she was employed by Hallmark Cards in Kansas City for a year. She became so homesick for family and friends she decided to move back to Bolivar. After returning, Judy went to work for Teter's Floral Products for a number of years.

Judy married Jim Coffey. To this union, a son Todd Allen Coffey was born on Sept. 10, 1966. Jim adopted Judy's daughter Kimberly when she was two years old.

In the late 70s, Jim and Judy purchased the store that was later named Coffey's Grocery and Station where they were known for their famous Kelsey's Hot Bologna. People came from miles around for the bologna.

Five years after Jim's passing, Judy married Dan Carman on Sept. 30, 1995. Judy and Dan enjoyed fishing, traveling and wintering in their second home in Mission, Texas. One of Judy's favorite pastimes was playing cards with special friends in Texas, going to casinos and bingo halls (winning or losing). She also enjoyed gardening, canning, and loved tending to flowers. Some of which were transported back and forth between Texas and Missouri.

She was a loving and caring wife, mother, and sister. Judy will be greatly missed by an uncle, aunt, cousins, nephews, nieces, and all who knew her.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Ruth Bays, stepdad Bernie Underwood, husband Jim Coffey and son Todd Coffey; her brothers and sisters-in-law from the Coffey family, Richard, Donna, Herman, Connie, Pat, Kenny, Danny, and Elizabeth Kay.

She is survived by her husband Dan Carman; her best friend Toby; Jerry (Dana) Bays; sister Glenda Bays; daughters Kim (Randy) Buckingham, Danella (John) Jemes, Gina (Kevin) Smith, Sharla (Chris) Wilkerson and Kim (Nathan) Brownfield; 14 grandchildren, Rachael Richardson, Yvette Bunch, Shelby Wells, Freddie, Daniel and Kristofer Johnson, Alexis Carroll, Kayla and Baylee Smith, Anthony, Austin and Alex Wilkerson, McKendree Bibeau, Brock Brownfield; 11 great-grandkids, Chance, Rhett, Ryker, Paisley, Rhoades, Paxton, Fisher, Asher, Anthony and Damian, Luna and Luna's sister on the way. She is also survived by her Coffey brothers and sisters-in-law, Winnie, Paul, and Teressa; her Carman brother and sisters-in-law, Gwen, JC, and Sandy.

A visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at the funeral home following the visitation.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery and Enon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.