Joe Louis Hudson

On June 11, 2024, Joe Louis Hudson, son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, veteran, friend, and lover of golf, signed his scorecard and retired to the final clubhouse, “that building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Cor 5:1) 

Joe was born on August 12, 1936, in Swainsboro, Georgia, to parents John Samuel Hudson and Emma Jane (Colbert) Hudson. He was one of eleven children and one of the nine who survived to adulthood. 

As a child, Joe suffered from a year-long near-fatal case of Typhoid Fever that left him with little or no memory of the people around him or of his life before becoming ill. He always credits the constant encouragement he received from his sister Christine with helping him survive and catch up on his missed schooling. He always called her his first teacher.

 Later, in 1949, he moved with his family to Monroe County Michigan, and attended public schools there in Dundee and Monroe. He subsequently completed courses from the University of Maryland, and the United States Armed Forces Institute, and earned his A.A. at Sacramento City College.

Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955, retiring in 1975 after 20 years of honorable service at bases in the United States and abroad. After leaving the Air Force he was employed by the United States Postal Service, retiring there after 20 years.

In addition to spending time with family, Joe’s passion was playing golf and enjoying the camaraderie of friendships developed with fellow golfers over many years. He was always encouraging young people to take up the game. Joe was an avid reader who also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, going to casinos, and working with his hands, often reciting this lyric from his childhood: “When I’m a man I’m going to be a carpenter as you can see. I will hammer with a steady hand and build the finest houses in all the land.”

While stationed in Madison Wisconsin in 1957, Joe met and married Ivragene “Gene” Purnell-Parrish, his wife for the last 65 and a half years. Together they raised their 5 children and mentored many others. Their youngest child, Frances ”Marnie” Hudson, was disabled from birth to her passing at age 50, in 2015. He and Gene lovingly cared for her and became activists and supporters of increasing services for children and adults with disabilities. Joe also particularly enjoyed his status as a “favorite uncle” and the cards, letters, telephone calls, and texts he constantly received from his many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in passing by his cherished daughter Frances (Marnie) Hudson, his parents, John and Emma Jane Hudson, four brothers, Booker T; John, William “Bill”; and Jesse Hudson; five sisters, Mildred McFarland; Zelma Davis; Christine Vining; and Marie and Barbara Jean Hudson; and his Father and Mother in Laws, Dorsey and Willie Lee Parrish.

To cherish his memory and to honor his life and legacy of love, wisdom, and guidance, Joe leaves his wife, Ivragene “Gene” Hudson, two daughters, Cathy Purnell and Joyce Moore-Reynolds (Eddie Dean); three sons, Ramon Purnell, Joe Hudson Jr. (Dana), and Daryll Hudson; a brother Ed Hudson, twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. 

Joe was a deeply but quietly spiritual man. He believed that people of all denominations and faiths wanted the same things, to love and be loved, to do good, to fulfill the Creator’s purposes for their lives, and when their journey here ends, to have earned the reward of everlasting peace and a reunion with loved ones and the Creator. He was a good listener, non-judgmental, and compassionate, and people of all ages sought him out for advice and counsel. In living, he exemplified the commandment in (John 15:12) “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” Although he is no longer physically present with us, that love remains, abiding eternally upon his family and friends. 

Friends and family are invited to attend the Military Honors and Committal Service at 10:00 am, followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane, in Sacramento. Repast follows the Memorial Service.