Dorothy Jean Hudson

Dorothy was born on January 3, 1940 in Garland, Alabama. She came into this world in much the same manner that she departed, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was the eight child of thirteen born to the union of Ben Alexander and Etta Bell Fountain-Cowan. She accepted Christ as her redeemer at an early age and later became a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She remained a devoted Christian for the rest of her life.

In 1957, a few years after the passing of her father, Etta relocated Dorothy and her other siblings from Garland, Alabama to Pacoima, California. Dorothy’s education began at Garland Elementary school and continued at San Fernando High School where she graduated in 1958. She also took classes at San Fernando Mission College. In 1958 she met John D Hudson, Jr. They were wed in January 1959. To that union two sons, John Douglas III and Jeffrey Tracy, were born.

Dorothy spent most of her working career doing what she loved most and did best, helping others. She was employed as a Nurse’s Assistant at The Sepulveda Veterans Administration Hospital for over 22 years, working with psychiatric and intensive care patients. Shortly before retiring in 1984 she was named by the VA staff as employee of the year.

Her passions were many. She loved her gardening, growing vegetables and beautiful flowers, baking cakes, pies and making bread. Some of her other pastimes included sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet. Her greatest passion was people especially her family. Dorothy was not only a mother she was a lover of all and a role model for her siblings and many others that she met. Dorothy was kind hearted and had a knack for storytelling. Which was only surpassed by her sense of humor and her infectious laughter.

In 2005 she moved to Queen Creek, Arizona and began a new, and what would become, the final chapter in her life. She spent the last years of her life in close proximity to her beloved sister Edna, her baby brother Walter, her son John and a host of nieces and extended family. Her illness took her memory but not her spirit. She remained a good natured person until her demise.

She was proceeded in death by her ex-husband John D Hudson Jr., loving parents Ben Alexander and Etta Belle Cowan, beloved Uncle Harvey Fountain, five brothers: James Cowan, Marcellers Cowan, Adolph Cowan, Ben Cowan, Walter “Cornell” Cowan, Cheryl Cowan and three sisters: Pauline Gray, Jewel Lewis, Edna Clark. She leaves to morn two sons John Douglas of Scottsdale, AZ; and Jeffrey Tracy of Santa Clarita, CA; grandson Dustin Quincy Hudson of Los Angeles, CA; two brothers, Isiah Cowan of Columbia, SC; and Leon Cowan of Palmdale, CA and beloved baby sister Carolyn Faye Wood of Atlanta, GA; two sisters-in law; Johnnie “Sis” Cowan of Pacoima, CA; and Renee Cowan of Pacoima, CA; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, loving care givers, cousins and extended family.