Judy Kay Barkley

On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, God dispatched his angel to the bedside of Judy Kay Barkley and whispered,“ To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. ”At that moment, Judy smiled and took her flight. Judy was born August 9, 1944, in Chance, Maryland to the late Ella Mae Jones and the late Jewett Benjamin Jones. At an early age, she became a member of St. Charles United Methodist Church in Chance, Maryland. Later, she joined Wesley Temple United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. Judy received her education through the Somerset County Public school system graduating from the former Somerset Junior/Senior High school class of 1962. Later on in her life, she pursued her higher education and graduated with an Associate degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Dorchester General. Later, following her Practical Nursing degree, Judy earned her RN degree from Wor-Wic Community College. Due to her passion and hunger for learning, Judy decided to pursue a BSN degree from Wilmington College. She successfully accomplished her goal, giving God all honor and glory. After completing high school, Judy married her high school sweetheart, Vernon Rhock(deceased). From this union, they were blessed with four children: Vernon, Darryl, Janá, and Kimberly. Later in life, she married Nathan Barkley Jr., who extended her family with Stepchildren; Nathan, Larry, Cynthia, Sylvia, Terry, Thomas, and Joanne. Judy and Nate enjoyed worshipping God, traveling, raising their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Judy maintained strong ties within society and was known as being strong, kind, smart, loving, hard and firm as well as meticulous. She was the strength and heart of her family. As a former Nursing Supervisor, Judy devoted her life to helping others for thirty years at Deer’s Head State Hospital located in Salisbury, Maryland. She was a loving and compassionate nurse, giving as much of herself a possible and always helping others in need. Judy was affiliated with the following nursing-related careers: ●Owner of Judy Barkley Assisted Living ●Team member of the Health Care Ministry of the Peninsula Delaware Conference ●Co-Founder with Mitzie Perdue of the Healthy U. organization ●Founder and Chairperson of Wesley Temple United Methodist Church Health Fair ●Parish Nurse for Wesley Temple United-Methodist Church ●Chairperson of the AIDS awareness program in the SalisburyArea ●Nurse coordinator for the Shore-Up Incorporation-Home Health Care program for the Elderly ●Served on the Board of the Tri-County Health Department She served God with a profound passion with all her endeavors and accomplishments. She was a devoted Lay Servant of Wesley Temple United Methodist Church. Judy’s legacy will be forever cherished by her Husband Nathan Barkley of thirty-seven years; son and daughter-in-law Darryl and Tiah Rhock of Salisbury, MD, daughters; Janá Whittington of Columbia, Maryland and Kimberly Rhock of Willingboro, New Jersey. Stepchildren; Nathan, Larry, Cynthia, Sylvia, Terry, Thomas, and Joanne. Grandchildren; Tara Rhock-Fooks (Marcus), Marcus Miciotto, Darryl Rhock (Domonique), Kaná Davis, Greg Whittington, Daron Rhock, and Cortez Whittington. Great Grandchildren; Ma’Kai, Darian, Daivon, Kyler, Ma’Kayla, Dominique, Dariah, Kyrie, Kayla, Jasiah, Aiden, Nyla, Zaire, Zaiden, Kai, Kyren, Jonah. Two sisters; Rev. Genevieve J. Brown and Linda Dickerson of Salisbury, Maryland. Two Aunts; Pearl Johnson of Chance, Maryland, and Yolanda Burke of Allen, Maryland. Two Uncles; Danny Wright of Philadelphia, PA, and Lawrence Wright of Salisbury, Maryland, her oldest surviving cousin; Ronald Jones of Wilmington, Delaware, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. Also, she leaves to mourn; a foster brother, Vernon Evans of Hurlock, Maryland. Judy was preceded in death by her son Vernon Rhock, mother; Ella Jones Winder, father; Jewett Jones; a sister; Joyce Vazquez, a son in law; Gregory Whittington, a special nephew; Terrance Brown, a niece; Yolanda Vazquez-Manor, and brothers-in-law; Spencer Brown and Angelo Vazquez. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Judy Kay Barkley

August 9, 1944 - May 18, 2021