James Hudson Sr.

HUDSON, Deacon James Arthur Sr., son of the late Arthur James and Jennie Whittle Hudson Walker, was born October 28, 1916 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and was called to eternal rest on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Community Memorial Healthcenter, South Hill, Va. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, was baptized and joined the St. Luke Baptist Church at an early age. Later in life he joined the Lombardy Grove Baptist Church and served as Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. In 1940 he was ordained as a deacon and served faithfully as chairman for over 57 years. His career in education began with completion of high school at the Mecklenburg County Training School. He continued his training at St. Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Va. and Virginia State College, Petersburg, Va. This period included service in the United States Army during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After completion of his B.S. and M.S. degrees, he taught in the classrooms of Mecklenburg County for 43 years and positively affected many young people and young adults. He also taught adult education classes. On July 12, 1939 he married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Taylor and enjoyed marital bliss for 71 years. To this union two children were born, James Jr. and Connie. He was a member of the following organizations: Bluestone-Harmony Association (former secretary), NAACP, Lake Country Area Agency on Aging, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mecklenburg County Retired Teachers Association, Community Memorial Hospital Trustee Board (former member), AARP, Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Social Services. His aim in life was "To serve -not be served." He stood for peace, harmony, and understanding among his fellow man. He leaves to cherish his memory a beloved wife of 71 years, Lucille Taylor Hudson; son, James Arthur Jr. (Marjorie) of South Hill, Va.; and daughter, Constance Lambert (Ernest) of Midlothian, Va.; grandchildren, Clay (Erica) of Harrisburg, Pa., Jamar of Wethersfield, Conn., Elayna of Baltimore, Md., and Marisa of Midlothian, Va.; sister, Esther Clemons of Rochester, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law, Pearl Scott and Margaret Hudson; one brother-in-law, David Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held on 12 noon Wednesday at the New R.Z.U.A. Headquarters and Conference Center, 5230 Goodes Ferry Road, LaCrosse, Va. Burial to follow in Lombardy Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Headquarters from 11 a.m. until the hour of service. Wake services will be held on Tuesday evening at Lombardy Grove Baptist Church, 5230 Goodes Ferry Road, South Hill, Va., from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Deacon James A. Hudson Sr. to Lombardy Grove Baptist Church Educational Fund or the Mecklenburg County Training School Alumni Association. Feggins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.