Judy Ann Harling (Keeler)

Judy Ann Harling, 78, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died on June 21, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born to Elzy & Stella Howard on April 24, 1945 in Blytheville, Arkansas. Judy grew up on a farm along the banks of the Mississippi River. She had a vivid imagination and enjoyed daydreaming as she watched the boats from her bedroom window. When the river would rise under their house, which was set on barrels, she’d pretend she was stranded in the ocean. She enjoyed playing paper dolls with her friends, cutting clothes and furniture from old Sears and J.C. Penny’s catalogues. She loved spending hours playing in the hay barn, digging tunnels, and making “rooms” to play house or just hide away. When you grow up in a family of eight children you need to find a quiet place to retreat to sometimes. When Judy was a teen, her family moved to a large farm in Arizona to grow cotton. She’d often help pick the cotton for spending money. Judy enjoyed driving dune buggies on the sand dunes, going to movies with her friends, and practicing archery. She rode to church in a wagon pulled by her dad’s tractor and received her first Bible as a prize for memorizing the most Bible verses. She was baptized a few days before her 14th birthday in a small church in Tacna, Arizona. Judy had a love for animals. She owned many different pets over the years. Some of her more memorable ones were Oink, a pig she bottle-raised until he got too big to keep at home; Ned, a love bird that used to drink coffee with her in the mornings; and Baby, a miniature Pomeranian that Judy spoiled by cooking her meals every day. Judy moved to Siloam Springs in 1989. She worked as a Certified Medical Assistant for 25 years at Quail Ridge Nursing Home until she retired. She started attending New Life Church in November of 2010 and became a member in August of 2011. She loved her church and was always so excited to invite everyone she met to attend church with her. Judy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren & great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoyed working in her flower garden, watching the birds at her various bird feeders, visiting with her friends, and reading good books. Judy was preceded in death by her parents Elzy & Stella Howard; one sister, Brenda Krug; three brothers, Calvin Howard, Oscar Howard, and Billy Howard. She is survived by two sons, Russell Keeler and wife Roxana of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Dustin Keeler and wife Talena of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; one daughter, Deana Cazarez of Wilburton, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Matt Keeler, Courtney Keeler, Sage Keeler, Chase Keeler, Jake Pryor, and Jeremy Prior; three great-grandchildren, Millie Keeler, Cole Keeler, and Tyler Keeler; three brothers, Dean Howard, Don Howard, and Jerry Howard; her New Life Church family whom she loved and prayed for regularly, and several other family members and friends. Judy was a precious soul and loved by many. She will long be remembered as a sweet & spunky lady who was a faithful follower of her Lord Jesus Christ. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at New Life Church, 1611 Cheri Whitlock Dr., Siloam Springs. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Judy Ann Harling (Keeler)

April 24, 1945 - June 21, 2023