Judy Carol Bouse

Judy Carol (Tucker) Bouse, of Kokomo, was a caring wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and mother-in-law. She passed away surrounded by her very loving family, at 7:23 a.m. on Saturday, April 23rd, at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, after a long battle with heart disease.

Judy was born on July 10, 1944, in the same Kokomo hospital, to Albert Tucker and Ica (Graves) Tucker as one of their 16 children. She spent her childhood on her parents' farm in Russiaville and cherished that time as one of her greatest life experiences. She frequently reminisced about her work in the family apple orchard, her long walks through the surrounding woods, and her mom's great meals, including corn bread and biscuits at every sitting.

After graduating from Clinton Central High in 1963, Judy was employed by the FBI in Washington, D. C., but then returned to Kokomo to marry Robert F. Bouse on Sept. 4, 1964. She and Bob were married for 51 years. During that time, she worked for Delco Electronics in Kokomo. Judy and Bob also owned and operated a Dunkin Donuts franchise in Lexington, Kentucky, and Angelo's Pizza Restaurant in Fort Myers, Florida, where they resided for 25 years. They returned to Kokomo in 2009, so she could be closer to her many brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces that still reside in the area and continue to provide an amazing amount of love and support to one another. Sandy Hill, one of Judy's many nieces, deserves additional thanks for the love and devotion she showed to Judy.

Judy is survived by her two daughters, Tina Marie (Robert) Hamp, of Lima, Ohio, and Tracy Jo (Joe) Smith, of Pineland, Florida; grandchildren, Kayla, William, Kenneth, Taylor, Kagan, Nicole, Gavin, Kaitlin, Aidan, Gannon, Riley, and Caley; brothers, Virgil, Herman, Ruble, Lonnie, and Louie; sisters, Wanda, Alberta, and Janet.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Albert and Ica; her brothers, Earl, Earnest, Max, Kenneth, and Joe; her sisters, Delores (Dee) and Thelma.

A celebration of Judy's life, with a small reception thereafter, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Reach Church, 1520 N. Apperson Way, Kokomo. In keeping with Judy's wishes, cremation is planned, and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Reach Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the BOUSE family.