Janie Hudson

Janie Pope Hudson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Thursday evening, February 10.  We know that she is rejoicing in heaven with those that went before her.

Janie was born on June 4, 1935, in Sampson County, North Carolina, the third of six children born to the late Richard and Jane Pope. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, Ottis D. Hudson, and her siblings:  Lawrence Pope, Fannie Pope Williams, Alice Pope Harris, Howell Pope, and James Pope.  She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Ricky.

Janie was raised on the family farm.  She learned the value of hard work from an early age, and continued to love working in the garden for as long as she could.  Her freezer was always full of the fresh vegetables that she and Daddy had raised in the garden.  Our family was blessed by the Sunday dinners that she prepared with these, always served in her kitchen after church.

After their marriage, Janie and Ottis stayed on the Hudson family farm until they moved to Fayetteville.  It was here that their first-born child, a son named Ricky, was born.  He died a day later, and Janie never saw or held him on the doctor’s advice.   This traumatic experience led to a sadness which would haunt her for the rest of her life.

Janie loved being a stay-at-home mother.  She worked with the school  PTA and served in many areas in the church. When Keith and Debbie were in high school, Janie began working for Belk at Tallywood, where she earned numerous sales awards.

After retirement, Janie and Ottis began a lawn care business.  She was so happy working with him, riding on her canopied riding lawn mower at LaFayette Baptist Church and in other yards around Fayetteville. She loved to go to the beach to watch the waves and the people.  She also loved to meet and travel with her Keenagers friends from church.

In 2009, Janie’s life changed drastically.  Ottis had developed many health problems and eventually had a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.  Janie was always by his side to take care of him in the hospital, rehab centers, and at home after his release.  She never asked for, or wanted, anyone to help take care of him.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Debbie Bailey (Mike), Keith Hudson (Janet), her grandchildren Sarah Alexander (Jordan), Michael Bailey (Allison), David Hudson (Kamisha), and Ricky Hudson (Melissa). She is also survived by her four great-grand children, Katie and Alli Alexander, Sky Hudson and Avery Medina.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the staff at Addison SLC who cared for Mom for three years.  Additionally, we will be forever grateful to the caregivers of Harmony of Hope Mills and Pruitt Hospice who provided such loving care for the past eight months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lafayette Baptist Church, P. O. Box 43935, Fayetteville, NC 28309.

Social distancing and masks are encouraged.