Judith "Judy" Joy Field, born April 29, 1935, returned home to be with her Creator on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the age of 91. A longtime resident of Nashville, TN, Judy carried herself with a gentle steadiness that made people feel safe, seen, and cared for.
Born in Hoopeston, IL, Judy was the youngest—and the last surviving—of five siblings. From early on, her kind-hearted nature and quiet strength seemed to point her toward a life of service. She attended nursing school in Danville, Illinois, where her compassion found a calling and her hard-working spirit found its purpose.
Judy devoted many years to Nashville Memorial Hospital, serving as Head Nurse of Pediatrics. She later finished her career as a surgical nurse. She retired in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of work done faithfully, thoughtfully, and with unmistakable warmth.
In 1955, Judy married Robert Field, and together they made their home in Nashville, TN. In 1978, she married Dr. Harold Kelly of Muscle Shoals, AL, moving there to be with him and her seven stepchildren. In 1986, she returned to Nashville to complete her nursing career.
Judy was larger than life: cherished, beloved, and the perfect matriarch of the family. She had an abundance of love for everyone she encountered, and she carried it with an amazing humor that could soften hard moments and brighten ordinary ones.
Judy was preceded in death by her father, Maurice Horton Cram; her mother, Ethel Minnie (Roe) Cram; her brother, Buster Cram; and her sisters, Pauline Kimberlin, Jane Snively, and Jan Wood. She is survived by her daughter, Robin Lynn Field Henry (Art); her son, John Robert Field (Amanda); and her daughter, Kelly Ann Field; her grandchildren, Christopher Henry, Brandon Bracey, Amanda Walter, Aubrie Field Vaughn, LeeAnna Melton, and Brooke Hickman. Judy also leaves behind eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
There was a Memorial Gathering of Family & Friends at Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home, 429 Donelson Pike, Donelson, Tennessee, on Nashville, TN 37214, on August 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on August 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Memorial Celebration of Judy’s Life followed at 1:00 pm with Rev. Rick Roberts of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating.
