Judy Ashton Ferrell

Judy Ashton Ferrell of Meridian, ID, formerly of Covington, IN died on October 10, 2023, at the age of 80 in an auto accident near Rastovaca, Croatia while traveling with family.  Daughter of the late Jerrell Simmons and Opal Dougan Simmons, Judy was born January 24, 1943, in Indianapolis, IN and graduated Plainfield High School in 1961.  Judy graduated Indiana State University in 1965 where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority.  At Indiana State, Judy met her husband, Richard (Dick) Ashton who she married on December 19, 1964.  Dick passed away in 1978 at the age of 36.

Judy began her impactful teaching career at Glenn Junior High School in Terre Haute, IN before she and Dick settled in Covington, IN due in large part to the connections they made in college with Covington natives Jack and Kay Hunter.  Judy taught over 35 years at Covington High School and later Fountain Central High School. In addition to teaching French at Covington, Judy was involved as Pep Club and Cheerleading sponsor, French Club sponsor, and was a mentor, role model and friend to hundreds of students.  She and Dick also began chaperoning summer trips to Europe for local high school students, a passion Judy continued to pursue following Dick’s death.  Judy also served as the director of the d’Arlier Cultural Center in Veedersburg, IN which provided opportunities for area students to study French and immerse themselves in European culture through a summer study program.  She chaperoned several trips to Paris and Aix-En-Provence, France thanks to the generosity of the d’Arlier Center.

Later in life, Judy reconnected with Jerry Ferrell of Plainfield, her former high school sweetheart, who was widowed in 2008.  Judy and Jerry were married in 2010 joined by Jerry’s family Brad & Stacey Ferrell and JT & Sara Ferrell (Jordan and Kamryn).  Jerry relocated to Idaho where Judy and Jerry led an active life until Jerry’s death in April 2022. 

Judy spent the last month of her life traveling Europe and sharing her love of travel with friends and family members.  Her niece, Tamara Mannelly, spent 10 days with Judy traveling southern France and Spain.  Daughter-in-law, Amy Ashton, then joined her in Paris, the Loire Valley, and Provence.  Lastly, nephew, Tommy John III and Cassie Huckaby met Judy for her final journey through Switzerland, Italy and Croatia.

Judy lived a full and wonderful life with passion, kindness, humor and a “joie de vivre” that was contagious.  She had a thirst for knowledge, was an active reader and enjoyed her Idaho book club, hiking with friends, and creating decorative glass art.  Most of all, Judy loved visiting with her family and grandkids, attending their events, cheering them on from the stands, sharing her faith, and including them in her many travels and adventures. 

Judy is survived by her son Rick and Amy Ashton of Prospect, KY and their children Kate, Lauren, and Thomas as well as her daughter Kathy and Chad Kornberg of Meridian, ID and their children Wyatt and Sidney.  She is survived by her sister, Sally John, her niece Tamara and Patrick Mannelly and their daughter, Tyler, and nephews Tommy John III and Travis John.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on January 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm EST at the Covington Middle School Gym, 1015 5th Street, Covington, IN.  The service will be led by her former student, Senior Pastor Bob Fairchild. The family will greet visitors at Covington First Assembly of God, 421 Market Street, Covington, IN from 11:00 am until the start of the service at 1:00 pm.  The service will also be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Covington Community Foundation, ATTN: Judy Ashton Ferrell Unrestricted Fund, P.O. Box 175, Covington, IN 47932.  Donations can also be made online at: www.wicf-inc.org. The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Covington to help with arrangements.

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