Willene Graham Hudman, 89, died on June 25th, 2018, two days after celebrating her birthday. Willene was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas on June 23, 1929. Funeral will be held at the First Baptist Church of Frankston, Texas at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1st. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Reverend Scott Wiley will officiate. Willene was preceded in death by her first husband of 45 years, W. A. Graham in 1993. Together they had six sons and three daughters, in order of birth: James, John, Joseph, Jerry, Marilyn, Melinda, Molly, Jack and Jay. They raised their children in the Christian faith. W. A. and Willene began life together building a hardware store on main street, North Little Rock Arkansas with W. A.’s brother and father in 1948.
Later they sold their share of the business and W.A. started a vault company. After several years he sold that business and moved his family of six children to Ponchatoula, Louisiana for one year’s stay, before moving again to Spring Branch, Texas outside of Houston, Texas. In November of 1967, Willene and W. A. moved their now seven children to Jasper, Texas in the small community of Curtis, Texas. There they bought a closed down two-story store/service station and house and began the business anew.
The Store grew immediately, and it gave all the children lessons in life in meeting new people, being astute in counting money, fixing flats, changing oil and servicing vehicles and many a laugh and memory of customers. In 1981, the store business was sold, and the Grahams moved to Nacogdoches, Texas where the remaining children could be close to Stephen F. Austin to attend college. Of the nine children, six attended college with five receiving bachelor’s Degrees and one going on to receive his Master’s Degree in Business. Today her children have accomplished many things in life due to the work ethic and self-determination taught to them by Willene and W. A. Graham.
Willene went on to marry again in 1998 to John Hudman of Nacogdoches that was a widower in her church. She then enjoyed a ranch life of cattle and tractors and fences and fun with John. They did many trips to western United States together. John died in 2007 after a brief illness and Willene then moved to Lake Palestine. Willene immediately moved her membership to Frankston First Baptist and remain there till her death.
Mom from all your children and your many friends though life. We will miss you and loved you but know you are in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of death Willene had 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Jack Graham.
