Betty Jean Buff Hudson

Betty Jean Buff Hudson, a long-time resident of Perryville, MO, Pensacola, FL, and Gulfport, MS, went home to be with her God and her husband on March 1, 2017. Born on August 25, 1939, Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She married the late Roger Leo Hudson, Sr. on February 27, 1958, in Perryville, MO, where he joined the United States Navy. As a military family, they raised five children. Although Roger’s service in the Navy made it necessary to move multiple times, Betty always made their current station home. Their final duty station was in Pensacola, FL. After Roger’s retirement in 1995, they moved back to Perryville, MO, to be close to family. In 2005, the two were drawn back to the south to be near their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Betty loved to cook, bake, read, sew and bowl. She is also remembered fondly by her grandchildren as an avid card player, always making time to share a game of Mexican Rummy. Many memories were created at the home of Betty and Roger as grandchildren gathered each summer. Betty was a devoted Catholic with an observable faith. She had a contagious spirit and could light up a room with her smile. She had a strong work ethic and a passion for her family that brought her great joy. Betty can be described by her children as a loving and compassionate woman of God. She was always supportive of her children, and in their eyes, she was a perfect role model. Betty was also very strong, especially in her final stages of life. Betty suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for several years and has resided at Seashore Highlands Senior Center in Memory Care since October 2015. On February 17, 2017, she was admitted to the hospital for complications. She was later transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospice Care where she spent her final days surrounded by family. Betty is survived by her brother, Larry Buff (Linda), sister, Linda Valleroy (Ron), and sister, Shirley Hudson (Prince), all of Perryville, MO. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Lester & Marie Buff, her sister, Debbie Buff, and her husband, Roger Hudson, Sr. Loving husband, Roger Hudson Sr., born October 22, 1939, suffered a massive stroke in June 2016 and passed away on December 5, 2016, of respiratory failure. Prior to his stroke, you would find Roger visiting his beloved wife at her home in memory care. Roger Sr. was a veteran Retired Chief Warrant Officer, having served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and 16 years of Civil Service. After retiring, Roger went to work for Saberliner for 8 years. His hobbies were golfing and bowling. He was preceded in death by parents, Cecil Hudson Sr. and Bessie Litterest, sister, Sandy Sterling and brother, Rex Hudson. Roger Hudson Sr. is survived by his brother Cecil Hudson Jr. (Linda) of Lake St. Louis, MO. Roger & Betty Hudson are survived by their children: Roger Hudson (Cristel) of Gulfport, MS, Barbara Danielsen (Lloyd) of Pensacola, FL, Tina Shupe (Robert) of Roswell, New Mexico, Rick Hudson (Joan) of Gulfport, MS, and Denise Dyson (Tony) of Navarre, FL. Their nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive Roger Sr. and Betty Hudson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations to www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp . Please specify in memory of Betty Hudson. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 6, 2017 at 3:00 P.M. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Long Beach, where friends may visit one hour before the Mass. Interment will be Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in Biloxi National Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Dr., Ste. H, Jackson, MS 39216. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com