Judy Ann Fulton, 70, of Richland, IA passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, at New London Specialty Care in New London, IA. As were her wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in the Valley Cemetery (2650 Birch Ave., Keota, IA) with Pastor Mark Hornback officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Judy’s honor may be directed to the Judy Fulton Memorial and may be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Judy Ann Fulton entered this life on February 20, 1956, in Fairfield, IA the daughter of Mervyn and Myrtle Black Fulton. She attended and graduated from Pekin High School and began following her love of children by pursing her teaching degree. She obtained her master’s in education from Morningside University and began substitute teaching in local districts. Judy eventually began her career as a teacher in the Cardinal Community School District where she worked in several different roles specializing in special education from 1993 until 2017. After leaving Cardinal she worked at the Ottumwa Christian School until 2021 when she moved to Galesburg, IL to be closer to her family. While in Galesburg she worked at the Knox County Nursing Home as a receptionist. Judy eventually returned home to Richland in 2024.
Judy never had any children of her own but served as a loving mother to her great nieces, Ashley and KayLee who she raised from a very young age. She always found comfort in her faith and was a member of the First Church of the Open Bible where she was proud to be baptized in April of 2018. She enjoyed growing her faith through her bible study groups and the friends that she met there. When she had free time she loved to play games on her phone.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, Kermit, Keith, Vickie, Leland, and Raymond.
Left to share her memory are her children of the heart, Ashley (Mike) Angelo of Galesburg, IL and KayLee (Keith) Williams of Marengo, IA and their sister, Emily Olson of Marengo, IA. She was like a grandmother to their children and was affectionately referred to as “JuJu”. Judy also leaves behind many extended family and a host of friends. She will be deeply missed.
