Jessie “Judy” Best, 96, a former resident of Cosmopolis, Washington and former bookkeeper at Best’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Aberdeen, died Friday, July 15, 2022, in Duvall, Washington.

Judy was born on July 29, 1925, in Firesteel, South Dakota to Rutherford Hayes and Clara Martha (McCollough) Goins. She grew up on the family homestead in Firesteel. Her senior year in high school she worked for the Court Extension Office. She graduated from Timberlake High School near Firesteel in 1943 and came to Montesano soon after.

Judy went to work in Montesano for Farm Security Administration as a bookkeeper and clerk and also at Graystone in Aberdeen.

On Feb. 18, 1950, Judy married Robert Howard Best in the Methodist Church in Aberdeen. He resides at the family home in Carnation, Washington.

In the 1960s, Bob started Best Heating and Air Conditioning and Judy did the books. In 1998, they retired.

Judy had been a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Elma. They are members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Hoquiam, Washington where Judy helped with the AWANA children’s program and child evangelism. Judy was a homemaker and seamstress and made costumes for the Driftwood Players and other production companies. She was also a “Hostess Extraordinaire.”

Judy is survived by her husband of 72 years, Robert “Bob” Best of Carnation, a son, R. Scott (Nancy) Best of Seattle; two daughters: Rebecca (Chris) Renzelman of Renton and Jeanine (Rory) Briscoe of Carnation; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her 12 brothers and sisters.

There will be a celebration of life for Judy on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hoquiam.

The family suggests that donations be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship or to the Union Gospel Mission.

A card of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.