Mary Shirley Hudson

Mary Shirley Hudson was born to Joseph Bernasconi and Aslee Pilgrim Bernasconi on October 7, 1941 in Gaffney, South Carolina. Shirley passed away on March 10, 2024 at 3:02 pm in her home peacefully with her daughters and her beloved son-in-law Mike. Shirley battled dementia for ten years prior to her passing. She was a marvelous mother to four girls which she built her entire world around. Shirley not only raised them alone, but she raised them to be independent and strong. Shirley was given the opportunity as a young teenager to have and hold a foster family of Jacksonville, Florida, the wonderful Godbee Family, whom she loved and graciously accepted as her own. Mr. and Mrs. Godbee, Gene, Ray, Bobby, Leona and Gloria Godbee of Jax., Fl. became Shirley's forever family.

Shirley married the love of her life, Mr. Leo Clifton Porter on November 10,1958 at Pillar of Fire Church in Jacksonville with her family's many blessings; they had three girls they adored. Her first born and namesake, Shirley Lyn, then followed Retha Gwen and their last baby, Tammy Leona Porter. Their girls were born in 1960 to 1964. Unfortunately, Shirley became a widow in 1969 and she raised her girls all alone the best she could. Shirley re-married to Mr.Gerald (Jerry) Hudson and they welcomed another adorable daughter, Shelda Renee Hudson in 1971. Their marriage also ended after seven years and Shirley continued raising her four girls to the best of her ability. Once again she did it alone. Shirley was an amazing mother and amazing as a father figure. She was a teacher, for she taught her girls everything she knew. Shirley was a wonderful provider for her family. She was a believer, Baptist by faith and she never passed a tent church revival where she didn't stop and walk her girls inside all those tents with her.

In her early years Shirley worked for Benner Glass Company of Jacksonville, Fl. Everyone loved her glasses and cookie jars. Much of her later years she worked in Security at JIA and everyone knew her. She was given several certificates and trophies for out working most for decades at JIA. Wherever Mama worked she worked and for years she worked more than one job at a time. Her passions and highlights of her life was her beloved Susie, Fry and Jasper Elvis. Speaking of Elvis Presley, Shirley was a big fan and possibly even bigger collector of anything Elvis especially his iconic Music. Shirley raised her girls listening to Elvis and Motown.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Aslee Bernasconi; her spouse, Leo Clifton Porter; and her second born daughter, Retha Gwen Richardson, whom was laid to rest just last month. Shirley and Gwen were 20 years apart and their birthdays were 2 days apart and now have been laid to rest a month apart. Mr. and Mrs.Godbee, Gene, Leona and Gloria Godbee also preceded Shirley in death.

Shirley is survived by her loving daughters Lyn Barker (Mark), Tammy Coates (Dick) and Shelda Moll (Mike); her grandchildren Shannon Hill, Kayla Addy (Robbie), Kendall Barker, Taylor Coates (Chase) and Trey Coates; her great-grandchildren Hanna Hill, Kaleigh Markley, Sawyer and Easton Addy; brothers Ray (Lucy) and Bobby (Barbara) Godbee; son-in-law, Ray Richardson; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends and neighbors of Riverview in Jacksonville, Florida; and her support dogs, a Lab and a Husky, named Hollie and Hailey.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 at noon at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The family will receive friends one hour prior beginning at 11:00 AM. Following the funeral services, burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.