Gene Hudson remembered
BY CAROLYN GRIFFIN
The Greenville Standard
There is so much that can be said about the Life and Legacy of Mr. Eugene R. Hudson. Where do I begin?
As I pondered that question, I realized that I would have to start with my beginning with him as a little girl at First Missionary Baptist Church.
Later in life, I came to know Mr. Hudson as the ultimate professional, motivated politician, community activist, mentor, father figure, encourager, motivator, disciplinarian, humanitarian, wise counselor, advocate, and friend to many.
But as a scared little girl, he was simply that “Dead People Man” that I refused to shake hands with every First Sunday after Communion.
I always drew my hand back when I reached Mr. Hudson in the line. He gave my sister Betty and I that same smile with the personable little grin that he continued to share down through the years.
As I began to understand death as a part of life, I realized the magnitude of the service that this gentle giant in the Funeral Home Industry was lovingly providing.
Mr. Hudson was so much more than the President and Co-Founder of Hudson Funeral Services, LLC, and the services that he and his staff provided. Mr. Hudson taught all of us by example what it means to love God and to show that love through serving His people.
Mr. Hudson was introduced to the funeral industry as a part-time driver at the age of 17 for Lee’s Funeral Home.
Two years later he began to train at Welch Funeral Home as an apprentice embalmer and funeral director.
After serving two years in the army, he returned home and continued to work in the funeral industry.
He continued in the army reserve and later received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from “The Alabama State University.”
There, he excelled in Drama and Sports. He later used his degree to supplement his income while growing his business. This was another life lesson that Mr. Hudson taught.
He followed his passion and enrolled in the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science in 1955. At night, he worked at Haugabrooks and Cox Funeral Homes in Atlanta.
He followed his heart and married the love of his life, Clara G. Brown, the same year. He passed the state board of Alabama, moved to Greenville, and together they opened Hudson Funeral Services on January 6, 1956.
The rest as we always say is history and this history will live on as Mr. Hudson’s daughter, Dr. Alicia Brown, President Earlene Milner, and a faithful staff that Mr. Hudson trained and poured into for many years continues his legacy.
Mr. Hudson was dedicated to funeral services for over 68 years. He served in both the Alabama and National Funeral Directors and Morticians Associations. He was honored as Professional of the Year in 2017 and has earned the respect and admiration of those in the funeral industry and all the lives that they touch.
Mr. Hudson’s sphere of influence has reached far beyond the industry that he so dearly loved. He always told me that everything he did centered around his love for God and his desire to treat all people fairly and with respect.
He was willing to fight for you when you were right, but correct and chastise you, when you were wrong.
Over the next few weeks, we will all read his obituary, review his accomplishments and accolades, and hear stories about how he touched so many lives as he served faithfully throughout his lifetime.
I will always honor and cherish the memories of all that he has done for me, my family, and our communities.
He was a great mentor and kept his word to my mom to look out for her baby girl.
I will end this with another memory from First Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Alice Shambray, and the senior choir taught us the importance of learning and singing hymns.
I can hear him singing “May The Works I’ve Done, Speak For Me.” They are speaking, Mr. Hudson. Well Done!!!!!
