Florence Gertrude Cates Hudson

Mrs. Florence Gertrude Hudson, 91, of North Biloxi, passed away Friday, April 7, 2006. She was born in the Larue Community of Jackson County, Mississippi, April 14, 1914. Florence was predeceased by her husband, Otis Lee Hudson, who passed away in 1982. Her parents were Ed and Ella Cates, and she was the last surviving member of a family of eight female siblings, Melissa Cates, Margaret Cates, Mary Parker, Dove Hudson, Ola Strait, Georgia Parker, and Martha Ladner, along with two male siblings, Edward and Bud Cates. She grew up in the small Bonney Chapel Methodist Church and was a member of White Plains Methodist Church. She spent her life trusting and serving the Lord. She witnessed to others of God's love and saving grace. She credited all blessings in life to be a direct gift of our Father in heaven. She worked hard in life, enjoyed planting crops and watching them grow. She could not stand materialism, and was overheard somethime not long ago stating, "You can't take it with you". Even after old age had taken its toll, she enjoyed helping elderly folks less fortunate than herself. One of her greatest gifts in more recent years was the friendship she enjoyed with another of God's children, Mrs. Vernon Leroy. In one of Florence's last conversations with the writer, she asked about Mrs. Leroy and Mrs. Elsie Tisdale, cousin and friend. Survivors include a daughter, Florence M. Moran and her husband, Vance; one grand-daughter, Bridget L. Peterman and her husband, Scott, and one grand-son, Rodney V. Moran, all of North Biloxi. Visitation will be held Monday, April 10, 2006, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Vernon Cargill of the V A Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System officiating. Interment will follow in Coalville Cemetery in Woolmarket. The family extends appreciation especially to Mrs. Lois Parker, longtime faithful family friend; Ms Jannet Pavlov and Mr. Jack Cates, niece and nephew of Mrs. Hudson; the Dove Hudson family; the Martha Ladner family; Gary and Bronlyn Parker; the Georgia Parker family; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis of North Biloxi; Arlan Robinson family; Mrs. Sara Kriss of North Biloxi; Mr. Robert Leroy of Woolmarket; Mr. and Mrs. David Selmer of D'Iberville; Mrs. Midge Williams of North Biloxi; Mr. Porter L. Webb of Ocean Springs and Ms Angie Heflin, only to name a few. Although not a part of her treatment team during her last days, Dr. Harry Heitzman, longtime friend and physician, shall always be recognized for his kindness and professionalism throughout many years. She always reminded him that the two of them would go dancing on her 100th birthday. Personal appreciation is extended for support provided by the V A Chaplain service, Trinity Hospice, and all members of Information Management Service of the V A Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System. Likewise, all those other friends who have remained in touch through the years and whose names may have been inadvertently omitted, you were, and continue to be appreciated. We wish also to express our sincere gratitude to RN Nikki and to RN Brenda at Biloxi Community Living Center. Florence's motto, "God has been good to me".