Judy Turner Bearden

Judith Marie (Martin) Turner Bearden was born on February 23, 1941 in Russiaville, Indiana, and passed away on June 13, 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her last several months were filled with physical struggles but also sweet fellowship while visiting with the friends and family that she spent her life serving and loving. She was a faithful friend, a dedicated employee, and a joyful leader of her family. She loved being surrounded by her friends and family and would spend hours telling stories to her grandchildren, talking on the phone to Indiana, and cooking for everyone. She was also a believer in the saving power of Jesus Christ and enjoyed the blessings of that relationship during the ups and downs of life. She longed to be united with Jesus at the end of her life and prayed that everyone she loved would also find not just a head-knowledge but a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Louise (Waddell) Martin and one brother, Vaughn Martin (children: Michele Sanders (Tyler), Terri King (Jerry), and Cheyanne Martin). 

She is survived by two brothers, Ed Martin (Saralyn - children, Jeff Martin and Lisa Finch) and Max Martin (Gloria - child, Cory Martin), and one sister, Anita Kanable (Mike - children: Maria Toney, Mitzi Gaskins (Scott), Bobby Kanable (Amy), and Kristy Kanable), all of Russiaville. Along with her family, Judy was close to numerous cousins from the Martin and Waddell families of Russiaville.

Judy was twice widowed - by Don Turner (1992) and Lamon Bearden (2016), both of Hardy, Arkansas. Don and Judy are survived by Pam Turner Grissom (Gary) and her sons, Toby Taylor (Stacy - children: Heather, Tyler, and Morgan), Trent Stone (children: Seianna, Trey, and Tenley), Marty Turner (Lisa) and their children: Jesse Turner, Chas Turner (Samantha - children, James and Paisley), Reid Turner (Madison), and Scarlett Turner, all of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Lamon and Judy are survived by his children: Carla Morris (children - Angela Morris and Jeremy Morris), Dennis Bearden (children - Amy Bearden-Krone (Kris) and Melodie Vergara (Zane), Jon Bearden (Mary - child, Mackenzie), and Cara Combs (Michael: children - Jesse Holaday and Maryann Combs).

Judy was a member of Lynn Friends Church of Russiaville and Spring River Baptist Church of Hardy. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star philanthropic organization. She worked as a lab medical technologist for over fifty years for various physicians' offices and the local hospital. Her son often heard from people who would request Judy to draw their blood because she was so gentle and calming.

Judy loved life in Hardy with her family and close friends: Anna Lee Smith, June Wavrick, and Lena Goodwin. Judy found joy watching her only child, Marty, as he grew up, and she could be found in the stands cheering him on as he played football, rode bulls, and pursued higher education to become a doctor of veterinary medicine. Later, they would spend countless hours around the kitchen table talking about God, family, medicine, cooking, and farm life. To say that she was proud of him would be an understatement. But if you asked her where home was, she would say Russiaville, where she ran around with her siblings, visited the family-run Martin Hardware store that her dad started, and go to Waddell’s Grocery for chocolate cokes and sandwiches. She lived a full life, and we smile now because we loved her and were loved by her.

Services for Judy will be in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy. 62/412, Highland, Arkansas 72542. Visitation will be Monday, June 16, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, June 17, beginning at noon. 

Interment will follow in Bronaugh Cemetery just off Hwy. 63 four miles north of Hardy next to Spring River Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged by the family to be made in Judy’s honor to Riley Children's Foundation, P.O. Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206.