Barbara Zody, 92, died October 15, 2023, at Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, Kansas. Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 17th and Main, Hutchinson, with Reverend Michael Tomson-DeGreeff officiating. A private family burial at Resthaven Cemetery, Wichita, will take place prior to the memorial service in Hutchinson.
Friends may sign the guest book from 9 AM to 8 PM, Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27. The family will receive visitors from 5 PM to 7PM on Friday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The casket will remain closed.
In Barbara Zody’s own words, which are shared at her request:
Barbara G. Zody was born an only child to Rolla and Nina (Bell) Brader on February 19, 1931, on the Gatewood Place near Sherman, Kansas.
She attended Caldwell Elementary School and was graduated from Labette County Community High School, Altamont, Kansas, as co-valedictorian. She attended Kansas State College, and graduated from Hutchinson Community College and Wichita State University.
On November 26, 1953, she married Dean Wood in Parsons, Kansas. He died July 18, 1967. She then married Keith Zody on April 15, 1972, in Wichita, Kansas. Keith had two children and Barbara had two children. After their marriage, they cross-adopted the children.
Barbara was a charter member of West Heights United Methodist Church, Wichita, chairman of the Administrative Board, president of WSCW, a youth sponsor, and Sunday School teacher. She later became of a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. She was chairman of the Staff Parish Committee, a member of the Building Committee, UMW, and Doers Sunday School class. She was the first female lay leader at Trinity. Barbara served on the Wesley Towers board as chairman of the Board of Trustees, Foundation, and Development Committee. She was a member of PEO Chapter HP. She served on the board establishing the Samaritan Counseling Center. She was chairman of Hutchinson chapter of the American Cancer Society. She was a volunteer at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and was a member of the hospital auxiliary. She served on the board of the Hutchinson Town Club and Community Concerts.
She was a partner in Andrews-Wood Construction and Real Estate Company in Wichita, adjunct faculty at HCC, and a licensed real estate broker for more than 20 years. She was chairman of the Hutchinson Board of Realtors and in 1995 was selected Realtor of the Year.
She is survived by her daughter, Melody Henson of Venice, FL; son, Todd Zody (Carly) of Denver, CO; and daughter, DeNene Thompson (Ben) of Hutchinson, KS; grandchildren Alia Collingwood and Matthew Collingwood of Hutchinson; and Hannah Zody Kendrick (Brennan) of Denver, CO; great-grandsons, Lucas and Noah Collingwood of Hutchinson, KS; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tom and Donna Coulter, Tonkawa, OK; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Betty Wood, Pittsburg, KS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Zody; son, Bart; son-in-law, Mike Henson; parents, Rolla and Nina Brader; parents-in-law, Ward and Marie Zody; and Sam and Edith Wood.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara suggested contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church or Wesley Towers Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.