Wanda Jean Hudson

She was born on November 16, 1928 in Smackover, Arkansas, the eldest child and only daughter of C.G. (Slim) Echols and Adelle Echols. Wanda married the love of her life, N.P. (Bud) Hudson, on June 16, 1950. They were married 59 years with Bud passing away in 2009. Wanda grew up in Norphlet, Arkansas where her parents owned Echols Grocery. With her parents running the store, Wanda (also known as Punk) was the homemaker and cook for her two younger brothers, Glenn and Don, whom she adored.

Wanda graduated from Norphlet High School in 1946 and from Ouachita Baptist University in 1949. Bud was three years older than Wanda and attended the University of Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks. He was then called to service in World War II and, upon discharge, followed Wanda to Ouachita where he played football for the Tigers and Wanda was selected as Homecoming Queen. They loved their years at Ouachita and made many lifelong friends.

Wanda worked her young married years as a legal secretary for Monsanto Chemical and later in life earned a Masters in Library Science from Southern Arkansas University. She enjoyed working as the high school librarian at Norphlet High School.

She was a devout Southern Baptist and a 60 plus year member of the First Baptist Church of El Dorado where she active in Women’s Missionary Union, served on the bereavement committee, the flower committee and as church librarian. Wanda was a member of the El Dorado Service League and especially loved working at the SAAC Lunch. Bud and she enjoyed couples bridge and were members of several bridge clubs. They were both avid Arkansas Razorback fans. Wanda was recently in the hospital watching a game and her heart rate kept rising, alarming the nurses. When they realized it was due to the Hog game, they suggested she watch the Hallmark Channel instead. She enjoyed gardening and traveling with Bud. She was devoted to her family and serving them was her passion, especially with her masterful southern cooking. Always the consummate hostess, she delighted in having friends and family in her home. Her family time, especially with her grandchildren, were truly the happiest moments of her life. Thanks to her wonderful caregivers, Diane Lovett, LaRonda King, Debbie O’Brian and Carolyn Norman, along with the invaluable assistance of Life Touch Hospice, Wanda was able to spend her final days in the comfort of her own home.

She is survived by two children, Pat (Nancy) Hudson of The Villages, Florida and Beth (Walter) Compton of Austin, Texas, along with three granddaughters Lee (Lawrence) Gordin, Katie (Ryan) Carrothers and Jade Hack; step grandchildren Jackson Compton and Tyler Compton; great granddaughter Juniper Hudson Carrothers; brother, Glenn Echols, sister-in-law, Jannis Echols and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband Bud, she was preceded in death by her brother Don Echols and sister-in-law Johnie Echols.

Visitation and service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Arkansas. Visitation at 1:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, El Dorado.

Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com