LaDanity Hudgens

LaDanity Hudgens, 69, of Overland Park, Kansas, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Visitation will be 5-8 pm on Tuesday, July 16th at the McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. Funeral Service will be 2 pm on Wednesday, July 17th at the Chapel.

LaDanity was born on September 17, 1949 to Hushel Roy and Carrie Mae Duncan, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She was named after a French perfume her father bought for her mother when he was overseas; he loved how sweet it smelled on her. She graduated in 1967 from Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri.

LaDanity was a well-spoken, resilient woman with a curious mind and adventurous spirit. She loved to travel and over the years ventured out on several cross-country road trips with family and friends, and to places across the waters like Hawaii, Germany, Switzerland, England and France, to name a few.

She was a diligent worker, driven by her dedication to support and raise her two children and put them through private schools, all while taking care of her aging mother, Carrie Mae Duncan (Hart). She built an accomplished work life that included many rewarding years working on the City, State, and Federal Government levels in the Kansas City, Missouri region, including work as a Civil Drafter, an Accountant, and in her later years working for the FAA Department of Transportation. She received numerous awards, accolades, and promotions to supervisory/management positions over the years, thanks to her undeniable talent, level-headed tenacity, and personable demeanor. Truly a brilliant, analytical mind and an overall lovely woman.

She took pride in decorating her home—and even her own wardrobe and sense of style—with beautiful, eclectic pieces and fabulous color. She stood out in the best of ways, with matching “everything”…and one-of-a-kind outfits, hats, shoes, and jewelry. She was also a wonderful cook that loved to gather together with those she loved, watch movies or play games, and spend an evening filled with great conversations about life and family. LaDanity loved the colors red, black, and turquoise, and her favorite hobbies included music, movies (especially musicals), and reading. She was a voracious reader who loved to curl up and zip through books, and it was not uncommon for her to literally read 1 - 3 books in a day.

LaDanity was lovingly nicknamed “The Bionic Woman” by those who knew her stories and challenges over the years. She somehow survived or walked-away from things like: being thrown from a horse, being hit by a car and knocked into the air while crossing a street as a teenager, car crashes including a head-on collision in 1982, two open heart surgeries, a metal hip replacement and several other surgeries and physical issues. She never let anything keep her down for long, and seemed to heal quickly as if by sheer will, so she could get back to her life. She was unstoppable.

Although her body had finally tired from running the course, her mind and wit were thankfully sharp and intact until her last day. And what gives us great solace in this time is that LaDanity does not have to ‘bounce back’ anymore. She, and her beautiful soul, can now truly rest.

In her own words, two of her most significant life accomplishments were getting her Bachelor’s in 2001, and surviving two heart surgeries. Her favorite advice she loved to share with her children: “Never let anyone else control how you feel, especially how you feel about yourself.”

LaDanity leaves to cherish her memory, two children: her daughter Kelli Denise Smalls (Williams), and her son Dartanan Hudgens, both of Overland Park, Kansas; four beautiful grandchildren: Christopher Alan Williams, Sydni Alise Lapsley, Jordyn Danielle Hudgens, and Bryce Carter Hudgens; and her two remaining siblings: Hershell Roy Duncan, Jr., and Lisa Renee Timmons. She also leaves behind a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and loyal friends. Especially her best friend and sister, Iris Pratt.