John Ellis Hudson

John Ellis Hudson, 79 of Columbus, MS passed away Monday February 18, 2008 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-GT, Columbus, MS.

Visitation for Mr. Hudson Will be Wednesday February 20, 2008 from 1:30 – 3 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. Funeral services will be at 3 PM Wednesday February 20, 2008 in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ben Yarber officiating. Internment will be in Ethelsville Cemetery with Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.

Mr. Hudson was born January 24, 1929 to the late Robert Jerrell Hudson, Sr. and Willie Naomi Foster Hudson. He had lived in the Columbus, MS area for the past 61 years having moved from Ethelsville, AL and was a member of Canaan Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. He was also a member of Columbus Masonic Lodge #5 F&AM, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason , a Shriner, the Possum Town Choral Society and owned Mid South Income Tax for 32 years before retiring in 2002. Mr. Hudson enjoyed entertaining at various local organizations, singing and playing the piano with his daughters , nieces and nephews, especially Southern Gospel Music. He loved riding his motorcycle and spending time on the Tombigbee. He never met a stranger and always offered encouragement and a helping hand in time of need. Mr. Hudson was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 37 years of sobriety. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Robert (Betty) Hudson and sister Mildred (Walter) Jaynes.

Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mildred Hudson, Columbus, MS; Daughters – Janice Burris, Columbus, MS; Sherry (David) Shackelford, West Point, MS; brother – Ed (Elizabeth) Hudson, Ethelsville, AL; grandchildren – Ivy Burris (Justin) Harris, Amy Burris, Leah Shackelford, Laura Shackelford, Layna Shackelford and Logan Shackelford.

Pallbearers will be James Hudson, Don Hudson, Richard Mattison, Randy McGee and Ronnie McGee. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Spain, Billy Perkins, Martha Spencer, Paul and Rachel McGee, Marie Mattison, Sammy Platt, Pat and Barbara Shackelford, Joan Tucker, Wayne and Lydia Seroux, Mark and Candye Stokes, Dr. Bradley Brown, Albert “Shorty” Glenn, Eula Harless, Carolyn Bentley, Wynell Koeniggberger, Ophelar Jones and special friends Mamie Lowery and family.

Memorials may be sent to Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.