Judy Partee

Judy Partee, 78, of Braman, OK, passed away on December 31, 2025 after a battle with dementia.

Judith Ann Herrington was born on August 11, 1947 in Cedar Vale, KS, to E. Wayne and Lois (Bennett) Herrington. She lived on a farm in the county and attended school in Cedar Vale for a few years until the family moved to Ark City, KS. It was there that she graduated from high school in 1965.

She married Rusty Partee at the Arkansas City Church of Christ on March 25, 1967. They lived on a few farms until they moved to Braman in the late 70’s. Her only child, John Merrill, was born in 1979. She spent the majority of her adult life living in Braman, but they did live in England for a few years while Rusty was working in Africa. 

She was a hard worker and held several jobs throughout the years. She attended cosmetology school and was a beautician for several years. She did book-keeping, in-home health care, several retail jobs, and janitorial work, and also volunteered with the Braman Busy Bunch. For a few summers, she worked without pay at the Braman swimming pool, so that the kids of the community would have a pool to enjoy. 

She was immensely creative and artistic; painting, quilting, sewing, and other various crafts. She was a very talented baker, and made many wedding cakes for friends and family. She loved Christmas, and always made numerous sweet concoctions to share with family and friends. In later years, she was involved with the Rose Hill Quilt Guild with her sister-in-law, Sandy, where they made lap quilts for veterans. 

She adored her only grandchild, Tuesday. She worked the night shift after Tuesday was born and would miss sleep, to babysit her. She always had time for Tuesday, they would bake together, go to the movies, and create art, among other things. 

She had been in a care home in Wichita for a few weeks, and it was there she passed away.

She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Carolyn Courter.

Survivors include her husband, Rusty, of the home, her son John and wife Molly and granddaughter Tuesday of Caldwell, KS, brother J.V. and wife Sandy of Rose Hill, KS and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Following cremation, no services will be held. 

To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit: www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by: Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, KS 67022.