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, Tennessee, Judy carried herself with a gentle steadiness that made people feel safe, seen, and cared for—an everyday kind of grace that never asked for attention, yet drew it all the same.
Born in Hoopeston, Illinois, 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—a role that fit her tender heart and steady hands. She later finished her career as a surgical nurse, bringing the same calm competence and deep care to every patient and colleague. 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, Tennessee. In 1978, she married Dr. Harold Kelly of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, moving there to be with him and her seven stepchildren. In 1986, she returned to Nashville to complete her nursing career, continuing to show—through each season of life—what devotion looks like when it is rooted in love and guided by a generous heart.
To those who knew her best, 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. Her presence was a comfort—steady, compassionate, and deeply personal—leaving people feeling better simply for having been near her.
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 will be a Memorial Gathering of Family & Friends at Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home, 429 Donelson Pike, Donelson, Tennessee, on Nashville, TN 37214, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Memorial Celebration of Judy’s Life will follow at 1:00 pm in the Chapel at the funeral home. Rev. Rick Roberts of St. John's Lutheran Church will officiate.
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