Jones Ed Hudson ’48

Jones Ed Hudson ’48, 82, died on April 11 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born Oct. 3, 1926, in Connelly Springs, N.C., he was the son of the late Jones Ednie Hudson and Cesarine Ribet Hudson. Hudson grew up in a close-knit, extended family, and he loved to tell stories of his childhood and of his family roots. A graduate of Davidson, Hudson enrolled at the young age of 15, and completed two years there before beginning his military service in the Navy. He graduated from Yeoman School in April 1945, and reported on board the USS Cabot (CVL-28) at San Francisco in May 1945. The Cabot was a fast carrier that had compiled an excellent war record in the Pacific during 1944 and early 1945. For his WWII service, Hudson received the following medals: American Campaign Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with “Asia” clasp, and the WWII Victory Medal. Hudson received a B.S. degree in psychology from Davidson in May 1948. He married Betty Sue Newton of Hickory, N.C., on May 30, 1948. He returned to work in his father’s general merchandise store, J.E. Hudson Company. After J. Ednie, Sr. died, Hudson and his brother, Lindy, opened a branch furniture store in downtown Hickory. Hudson owned and operated the J.E. Hudson Furniture store until his retirement. An avid student of navel history, Hudson wrote The History of the USS Cabot (CVL-28): A Fast Carrier in World War II in 1986, which you can find in libraries and homes across the country. Hudson, along with other family members, created historical family albums for the Hudsons and the Ribets. His personal interests included golf, bowling, bird watching, photography, butterflies, insects, and watching his beloved Boston Red Sox and Tiger Woods. He spirited many lively discussions about politics, religion, history, and current events with his family. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother. He is survived by his wife, Betty Hudson, 815C Wynnshire Dr., Hickory, NC 28601; their three children, Cesanne Hudson Berry (Chris Berry), Edney Hudson (Karen Bumgarner Hudson), and Grace Hudson Shuford (Hunt Shuford); his brother, Lindy Hudson; and six grandchildren, Paige and Lauren Berry, Eliza, Sayer, and Colon Hudson, and Jones Barton. He was an extremely proud father and grandfather and counted his children as his greatest achievement!