Obituary of Judith Ann Orton

Judith Ann Orton, 76, passed away in the comfort of her home on Saturday June 30th 2018. She was born to the late Johnny Martin and the late Isabelle Dora (Peggy) Wells Martin. At the age of 17 she began her career at the Moberly Monitor Index where she remained for 53 years and retired as the Advertising Manager. After retirement Judy focused her passion for history and writing to the Randolph County Historical Society. Judy was a former president of Beta Delta Chapter of ESA and Jaycee Wives. She was a state officer and state editor of their publication. She served on the Boards of Sheltered Workshop and Randolph County Cerebral Palsy Chapter and was a past President of the Moberly Women’s Bowling Association. In 1965, Judy was named Outstanding Young Woman of Missouri by her sorority. And in 2016, Judy received the Distinguished Service Award from the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce for her dedication, endless research and overall contribution to the Moberly Sesquicentennial book celebrating the Magic City. She also had a passion for restoring old homes and managed to raise three children in the middle of many home restoration projects. Judy’s home was always filled with cook books, home design and home and garden magazines. As a family they traveled many miles looking for antiques for their homes. They also enjoyed, loading everyone in the station wagon and traveling to Greyhound basketball games and St Louis Cardinal baseball games. Her dedication to her children, family, work and community was endless. Her passion for cooking was well known by many, especially by her family. She loved bringing everyone together with amazing meals prepared with an abundance of love. To her family Judy will always be a strong independent woman. She beamed with pride for her whole family and cherished the time they spent together. Her stubbornness as well as her smile will remain in their hearts. She was truly one-of-a-kind. Her knowledge was keen, her mind was sharp, her sense of humor was quick and her love for Moberly, the community, her friends and mostly her family had no boundaries Preceding Judy in death include her parents, Johnny and Peggy; her step-father, Robert Donald Gray; sister Jeanne Roberts and daughter-in-law, Jackie Ree Devenport-Orton. Survivors include her children, Robert (Evelyn) Orton of Cape Coral, FL, Michael (Sandy) Orton and Elizabeth Orton all of Moberly. Grandchildren, Jessi (Corey) Botkins of Columbia, Cole (Kadie) Orton, St Louis, Bryn (Hannah) Orton, Columbia, Alex (Shannon) Orton, Centralia, Hailey (Lesa Ford) Breusch and Johnny (Shori McAlpin) Breusch, all of Moberly. Great-Grandchildren; Logan Botkins of Columbia, Keaton Orton of Centralia, Hadley Botkins, of Columbia, Millie Orton of St Louis, Lainey Orton of Centralia and AnnaLillian Breusch of Moberly. Siblings Connie (Daryl) McCollum of Columbia, Peggy Ledford of West Columbia SC and Donna (Charlie) Steinkamp of Fort Madison, IA; her former husband, John Orton and his wife Jane Kay; extended family and many close friends. Services celebrating Judy’s life will be held on Saturday July 7, 2018 at 10:00 am at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home with interment to follow at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday July 6, 2018 at Pathway Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions in Judy’s honor are suggested to the Randolph County Historical Society, 223 N. Clark Street, Moberly, MO 65270.