Judy Raye Carlson

Judy Raye Carlson, 77, resident of Huggins, Missouri, peacefully passed away on May 1, 2024 at her home, surrounded by family.

Born in Saint Paul Ramsey Hospital, Judy was a daughter of the late Elmer and Mabel Nelson. She had five siblings and an adopted brother. She grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota and thus began her love affair with winter and a strong attachment to her Scandinavian roots.

She received her B.A. in English from Trinity College where she met her Prince Charming and lifelong love, Tim Carlson [Chaplain (Colonel-Retired) Harold T. Carlson, U.S. Army]. Judy and Tim were married on June 14, 1969 and from this union were born six children.

Judy etched a lasting impression of “The White Knight”, her Savior, into all of her children and grandchildren, and to everyone she met. Her faith and sense of wonder about our Heavenly City remain contagious.

Having a lifetime passion for literature and writing, at age nine, Judy wrote her first tale— revealing her love of storytelling. She authored two books, The White Knight, The Lost Kingdom, and The Sea Princess and The Wanderer. Copies of The White Knight are being offered to the funeral attendees in memory of Judy. Her epic novel, written in the tradition of the Greats, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and George MacDonald, brings a winsome delight.

Judy was a lover of God, nature, music, true myth and eschatology. She taught the Biblical books of Revelation and Daniel multiple times, as well as Proverbs, her favorite book to teach. She was naturally drawn to inspire young mothers and military wives to embrace homemaking. She also had a huge heart for babies and mentoring teenagers. Countless baggers at military commissaries will remember a sweet and spunky, whitehaired lady asking “What’s your name?” and “Do you know Jesus?”— leaving them with a spark of hope and a generous tip.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her older sisters, Charlene, Marilyn, and Sharon; her older brother, Wayne; her adopted brother, Richard Halverson; and her grandson, Joseph Bernhard Arnegard.

There will also be a brief memorial with honors recognizing Judy’s life and contributions to the nation as a 28-year Army spouse alongside CH COL Harold T. Carlson (1971-1973 & 1980-2005), held at Fort Leonard Wood Veteran’s Cemetery on May 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM.