Catherine Armada Ezelle Hudson

Published 10:13 am Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Jan. 25, 1930 – April 16, 2025

Mrs. Catherine Armada Ezelle Hudson, 95, of South Hill, departed this life at her home on Wednesday, April 16. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, R. Hart Hudson; her father, Carlyle Vincent Ezelle; her mother, Alma Valentine Wallace Ezelle; her brother, Wallace Carlyle Ezelle and granddaughter, Megan Christine Hudson. 

She is survived by her son, Russell Wallace Hudson; granddaughter, Jessica H. Eufinger and grandson, Christopher Scott Hudson (Heather); her son, Glenn Price Hudson (Suzanne), granddaughter, Adrienne Caroline Hudson Davis (James), great grandsons, James Price Davis and Theodore Hart Davis; her daughter, Catherine Elaine Hudson Trujillo (David), granddaughters, Laura Elizabeth Kilian and Catherine Alice Kilian Watts (Dylan) and great grandson, Palmer Hudson Watts; her cousin, Robert “Bobby” Leon Wallace (Brenda) of Sharpsburg, Georgia; her nephew, Richard “Dickie” Carlyle Ezelle (Nancy) of Martinsville; her niece, Donna Ezelle LeNeave of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and great nieces and nephews.

Catherine was born in Victoria on Jan. 25, 1930. She began taking piano lessons at the very early age of 3, from Mrs. Lucille Hawthorne of Victoria. At the age of 7, she began to play for Sunday school at the Victoria United Methodist Church, where she was a member growing up. Catherine’s love of music and her God given talent to play the piano would be shared with many for the remainder of her life as she played for graduations, weddings and church. Upon graduating from Victoria High School in 1948, she continued her education at Smithdeal-Massey Business School in Richmond, earning a degree in Business Administration. During her college years, Catherine worked at the Richmond Mosque where she was privileged to play the infamous Wurlitzer Organ on several occasions. In addition, she worked for a period of time at Fort Lee in Petersburg and Camp Pickett in Blackstone. 

Upon marrying the love of her life (who met her at the piano while at Smithdeal-Massey), Russell Hart Hudson, on March 25, 1955, she moved to South Hill, where she developed her love of farm life, and together, they would grow their tobacco business to become R. Hart Hudson Farms, Inc. Catherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, business partner and musician. She shared her gift of music for over 60 years with Ephesus Baptist Church where she served as pianist, organist, and choir director. Her church, family, friends, and community were her life. 

The family would like to give special recognition and appreciation for all of the caregivers who blessed our family and were dedicated to the love and care of our Mother. A funeral service was held Tuesday April 22, at 1 p.m. at Ephesus Baptist Church with interment in the Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received family and friends from 11:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made in Catherine’s name to the Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 4057 Goodes Ferry Road, South Hill, VA 23970. Online condolences may be made through our website at www.crowderhitecrews.com. 

Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hudson family.