May 11, 2024, 75, Seven Springs —
James Ralph Hudson, Jr., otherwise known as Jimmy, was surrounded by his family at home as he transitioned from this life to eternity on May 11, 2024. He was born in Roxboro to the late James Ralph Hudson, Sr., and the late Madeline June Huff Hudson on August 7, 1948. His family moved to Scotland Neck, NC when he was two years old, where he remained until graduating high school in 1966. After graduation, he moved to Durham where he worked as a machinist until joining the Air Force in 1968. He was very proud to serve his country and proud to be a part of the F4 Phantom era as well as the closing of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the United States Air Force in 1988, he began another career with the United States Postal Service in Kinston, NC where he retired as a Registered Mail Clerk in 2010.
A service to remember Jimmy’s life will be held on Thursday, May 16 at the Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Mt. Olive, NC at 6:00 pm with visitation following. The Rev. Jeff Dail and Rev. John Hudson will officiate.
The graveside service with full military honors for Retired Master Sergeant James Ralph Hudson, Jr. will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17 at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC with the Reverend Jeff Dail officiating.
Jimmy will be leaving behind to cherish his memories of his wife, Iris Moore Hudson, of 52 years. Their son, James R. Hudson, III, and wife, Jackie of Dunn, NC with their children, Makenzi and Madison. Their daughter, Angela Nicole Hudson, and husband, Joel Brown of Garner, NC with their children, Wyatt, Quinn, Evy, and Olivia. In 1983 it was their pure joy to adopt their son, Eli Emmitt Hudson which completed their family at the time. Eli E. Hudson and wife, Carla of LaGrange, NC with their children, Kaytlyn, and Allison, and fiancé, Avery Ingalls, and Morgan and husband, Matt Lee along with their children Cove and Isla. Jimmy loved all of his grandchildren with a passion as they were the apple of his eye. His surviving siblings are Bennie Hudson and wife, Julie of Durham, NC; John Hudson and wife, Denise of Elm City, NC; Priscilla Riggs of Timberlake, NC; Patricia Personius and husband, Richard of Stem, NC. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by a sister, Rochellia Cox of Wilson, NC. Jimmy is also leaving behind many “Moore” in-laws whom he loved as his own siblings along with numerous nieces and nephews on both sides.
A special “thank you” is extended to Nikki Wolfe with Gentiva Hospice for her attentiveness to details while loving and caring for Jimmy. She was an amazing nurse whom he loved. We thank God for caring neighbors, Johnny Lane and Mark Adams, and all of our families during this trying time.
As an active member of Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church, Jimmy served in many different ministry roles. His favorite, and closest to his heart, was the ministry of Celebrate Recovery. The lives he witnessed that were changed by the power of Christ were fuel for his service. He was also an active lifetime member of the VFW #9959 of Mount Olive and the DAV; therefore, an advocate for victims of war-related PTSD to which his compassion was overflowing and sometimes distorted due to his own struggles. As a proud supporter of Heart & Soul Ministry, he was honored to support Joe Woodard with his effort to help the homeless and disheartened.
Per Jimmy’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Celebrate Recovery Ministry of Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 130 Ed Edmundson Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, and/or Heart and Soul Ministries c/o MOFPHC at the same address.
The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.
