Marty Donald Hudson

1956 - 2019

MARTY DONALD HUDSON, of Stafford, Va., died suddenly on August 25, 2019, while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, S.C. A lifelong member and leader of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), Marty was serving as a Trustee of the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds at the time of his death.
Marty was born in Charleston, W.Va., on September 18, 1956. Growing up on Coal River in Boone County, Marty was active in athletics - especially baseball - and a Golden Gloves boxer while attending Sherman High School. While at Sherman, he met his future wife, Georgia Lynn (Bonz) Hudson.
Following graduation from high school, Marty went to work in the coal mines, starting at Kessler Coal. He quickly became involved in his UMWA Local Union by serving as Recording Secretary and on the Safety Committee. His talent and strong support for the Union were soon recognized by Union leadership in District 17, especially by then-District 17 Vice President and now International President, Cecil Roberts. Roberts recruited Marty to work in the "Why Not The Best" UMWA leadership campaign that concluded with the election of Richard Trumka as President, Roberts as Vice President, and John Banovic as Secretary-Treasurer. Marty came with Cecil to Washington, D.C., in 1982, working as his Executive Assistant.
When the Pittston Coal Company forced its workers to strike in 1989, Marty was selected to be one of the on-the-ground strike leaders. After he refused to tell miners to stop using nonviolent civil disobedience as a tool in the strike, Marty was jailed for several weeks. As Roberts became International President in 1995, Marty became the Chief of Staff for the UMWA. He took a position as a Trustee of the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds in 1997 before returning to the Union as Chief of Staff in 2004. He retired from the UMWA in 2012, going back to the Funds as a Trustee.
"Marty was sometimes like a son to me, sometimes like a little brother," Roberts said. "Carolyn and I consider the Hudsons like family. I will miss him terribly, and so will the thousands of UMWA members he helped during his incredible career. Our hearts go out to Lynn and Jordan, and we will be with them every day through this difficult time."
Marty is remembered by his family and friends as a fierce advocate for workers and their families, and as a staunch ally to those whom he loved and served. He never walked past a person in need; he never backed down from a bully.
Marty was predeceased by his beloved son, Adam Lyndon Hudson, by just over a year; his mother, Thelma Stewart; his mother-in-law, Shirley Bonz; and his grandparents, Okey Stewart and Angie Stewart.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Georgia Lynn Hudson; son, Jordan Bonz Hudson (Yessica); sisters, Joda Browning (Fred), Robin Discenzo, and Gina Bonz Barnes; brother, Stanley Stewart (Mindi); father-in-law, George Bonz; nieces, Terri Beller and Crystal Discenzo; nephews, Ethan Barnes and Andrew Discenzo; and great-nephew, Ian Beller. Marty also loved each and every man and women in his Union brotherhood, which he considered to be an extension of his own family.
A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, at the Sylvester Church of God at 22814 Coal River Road in Sylvester. Then the Funeral service will begin at 12 p.m., with Pastor Ricky Peters officiating. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at the Pineview Cemetery at 21557 Coal River Road in Orgas.
Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, W.Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at www.armstrong funeralhomewv.com.