Judy (Wyatt) Harper Ridgeway, 82, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away at home, August 3, 2025.
She was born on October 17, 1942, on the family farm south of Centralia, Missouri, to Charles A. Wyatt, Sr. and Bessie (Meeks) Wyatt. She was the youngest of five children who remained close knit throughout their lives. Judy graduated from Centralia High School in 1960, after which she moved to Columbia and started work at MFA (now Shelter) Insurance Company.
Judy married Wilbur Ed “Sonny” Harper, of Mexico, Missouri in March of 1963. Despite divorcing several years later, Judy remained part of Sonny's family and was much loved by his parents and siblings. In 2001 she married Don Ridgeway and he survives.
In 1974 Judy joined Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital as an Administrative Assistant in the ICU units. She later received her Professional Coder certification and worked many years as a coder. In 2001 after 27 years of dedicated service at the VA she took early retirement. She later worked as a coder at Moberly Regional Medical Center.
Judy was known for her laugh, sincere smile, warmth and kindness, in addition to making everyone (and every animal) she encountered feel special and loved.
She is survived by her husband, Don Ridgeway of Columbia; her daughter Joni (John) Rudkin; son Jeffrey Harper, her bonus son, Kevin (Tracy) Ridgeway, a granddaughter, Laci (Austin) Ilsley, three bonus grandchildren; Ashley (Shawn) Bensley, Kevin Lee (Amber) Ridgeway, and Zoe Ridgeway, seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and many dear friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers, her first husband, a daughter-in-law, Tina Ridgeway, and her rescue Yorkie, Baxter.
Memorials may be made to the Central Missouri Humane Society.
Friends and family are invited to join for music, food and memories at a Celebration of Life and Memorial Saturday, October 18, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Boone County History and Cultural Center 3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO 65201.
Online condolences at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com Further details will be posted.
