Judy Anne Herron was a 71-year-old female resident of Joplin, Missouri, known in her community for her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her family. Born in St. Louis to Mikal and Rose Wallace, she eventually moved to Joplin in 1988 where she established herself as a business owner, opening a decorating store downtown. She had a passion for renovation and property management, often purchasing and remodeling rental homes.
Beyond her professional life, she was deeply involved in her local parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and had served as a Girl Scout leader for many years.
On May 28, 2016, Judy died in Joplin, an event that led to an inquiry by local officials to determine the manner of her death. Authorities responded to the scene to conduct an examination and gather evidence regarding the circumstances of her passing. The investigation considered various possibilities as is standard procedure in unattended deaths, ensuring that all aspects of the scene were documented and analyzed.
Ultimately, the investigation concluded that the cause of death was self-inflicted. Reports from the Joplin Globe confirmed that the case was ruled a suicide. Because the findings determined that she had taken her own life, law enforcement did not pursue any suspects, and there were no arrests made in connection with the incident. As there were no other parties involved in the death, no criminal charges were filed, and the legal system did not conduct any trials or hand down any convictions related to the case. Her passing was recorded by the Gun Violence Archive, which documents such incidents nationwide.
Judy was survived by a large extended family, including her daughters, stepdaughters, and numerous grandchildren, who gathered to honor her memory at a funeral mass in Webb City. Her legacy remained that of a hardworking woman who loved traveling with her late husband, Floyd, and caring for her family and community.
