Helen S. Hudgens

Helen Smith Hudgens, a native of Bliss, N.Y. passed away February 24, 2018. She was born November 17, 1912. Her husband, James W. Hudgens preceded her in death after fifty-five years of marriage. She is also preceded in death by her father, Arthur John Smith, her mother, Ada Mary Cook Smith, who lived to be 102 years of age, her only sibling, Marian Smith Scott (Merle), who also suffered from Parkinson Disease, a great-grand nephew, Christopher Adam Peterson, and a great-grand niece, Emily Grace Peterson.

Two nieces are mourning her passing. Joyce Scott Peterson (Ronald) of Geneseo, N.Y. and Marilyn Scott Smith of Toms River, N.J. She left five great nephews, Eric Peterson, David Peterson, William Peterson, Michael Smith, and Patrick Smith, one great niece, Stephanie Smith Gargiulo, seven great-grand nephews and six great-grand nieces. She was blessed to have ten nieces- and nephews-in-law survive her.

She was a graduate of Eastman Corners School and Geneseo State College of N.Y. and studied at Birmingham Southern College. She taught school in New York State and at Mrs. Ashes’ Private School and Crestline Grammar School in Alabama.

Mrs. Hudgens was a poet and six books of her poems were published. Many of her poems have been read at various club meetings locally, as well as at a national meeting of the National Society of Arts and Letters. One of her poems is printed in the annual year book of Princess Sehoy Chapter, NSDAR. She received a blue ribbon for her poem “Desert Storm” and was a member of National Society of Pen Women. She also received Honorable Mention for Heritage Society of the Alabama State DAR.

She was a member of the National Society of Arts and Letters and received the Rosamon Henderson Service Award in 2002. She attended national meetings as long as her health permitted.

She was interested in promoting a love of literature in the youth of today through Arts and Letters. She organized and sponsored a poetry contest for seventh graders in this area and encouraged inner city schools to participate.

She was a member of South Highland Presbyterian Church, Princess Sehoy Chapter of NSDAR, the Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, Life Member of Arlington, Life Member of Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Zoo, and a Charter Member of the Native American Museum, a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

One of her great interests was helping the cause of our native Americans, especially housing, health and education.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at South Highland Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends after the service in the church reception area. Private burial at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the South Highland Presbyterian Church Foundation, 2035 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205.

The family expresses gratitude to all of the caregivers and staff of Home Instead Senior Care for their loving care and assistance.