Judith Ann Felton Kirby, age 67, of Sparta, Tennessee passed away unexpectedly (non-COVID related) on December 12, 2021 at Vanderbilt Medical Center with her husband by her side.  She was born (at home) to the late Daniel Baxter (Brack) and Charlene Passons Felton on November 2, 1954.

She attended White County High School and would go on to complete her associates in phlebotomy in Dalton, Georgia.  Prior to working as a lab technician, she spent numerous years working at Crystal Springs Print Works in Chickamauga, Georgia.

Judith is survived by her loving husband of more than 15 years, Earl Kirby; her son Colonel Grant Meadows, currently stationed in Kuwait; her daughter Amy Kirby, two adorable granddaughters Jasey and Jetta; five siblings: Linda (Ray) Carte of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Dan (Dortha) Felton, Peggie (Mike) Dodson, Reba (Darrell) Slatten, and Chris (Shelia) Felton all of Sparta, Tennessee; many nieces and nephews along with their families; aunts, uncles and cousins.  All of those she loved dearly and touched deeply.

Judie's many talents and hobbies included painting, tending to her roses and flower gardens, quilting, bird watching, and listening to all genres of music. Additionally, she was an avid reader, finding her passion for books at an early age.  She had an extreme fascination with rocks, never leaving a stone unturned nor meeting a rock she didn't like.  Judie never passed up an opportunity to shop at a used book store, a Goodwill, or a Habitat for Humanity store …. constantly searching for that perfect treasure, of which she was able to collect quite a few over the years.

She had an intense love of nature and animals, especially horses and dogs.  She spent countless hours watching and critiquing dressage and gaits of various breeds of horses.  When it came to dogs, she had quite a few, there is no doubt the ones that have passed over the years were just as overjoyed to see her as she was them. Unfortunately her current dogs, Boo and Lucy, will be lost without her loving attention.

Judie will be sorely missed and forever in our hearts.  Those that loved her dearly, will never forget her tenacity, wit, charm, and undying love for her family.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Sparta.  Funeral services will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 16th at Gum Springs Baptist Church following an hour of visitation.  Pastor Bo Hendrix of Gum Springs and nephew Dr. Terry Felton of Mason Dixon Baptist Church in Pennsylvania will be officiating.  The burial will take place at Mt. Pisgah cemetery in Walling, Tennessee immediately following the funeral services.  The family respectfully requests that everyone wear a mask during these events.