RAY ELLIOT HUDSON

Ray Elliot Hudson, 84, of Diamond, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at his home. He was born on June 19, 1925, in Jenkins the son of Roie L. and Leona (Avero) Hudson. He attended Jenkins School and graduated from Cassville High School. On June 19, 1946, he was united in marriage to Julia Wallace in Columbus, Kan. On their 50th wedding anniversary, he and Julia renewed their vows to each other in Howe, Okla.

He worked as a farmer, truck driver and carpenter before becoming an ordained Baptist minister in 1971. He worked for 30 years as a missionary and established the Cherokee Heights Baptist Church in Prior, Okla. He attended the Ritchie Baptist Church and was a charter member of the Victory Baptist Church in Cassville. After living in Oklahoma for several years, he and Julia moved to Diamond.

Survivors include: his wife of 63 years, Julia Hudson, of Diamond; three sons, Timothy R. Hudson and his wife, Sue, of Cassville, Roie L. Hudson and his wife, Glenda, of Cassville, and Henry E. Hudson and his wife, Linda, of Bentonville, Ark.; three daughters, Joyce Huse, of Bentonville, Ark., Patrica Newman, of Joplin, and Mary Gulick and her husband, James, of Cincinnati, Ohio; two sisters, Dorthy Knoblauch, of Joplin, and Alice Cope, of Neosho; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday at the White Funeral Home in Cassville, with Rev. Charles Leonard officiating. Burial followed at the Clio Cemetery in Jenkins.