Billy Joe Hudman

Billy ?Joe? Hudman Billy Joe Hudman went to his eternal home with his Lord and Savior peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2004. He departed into eternal life from his home in Longview to rest in peace, with no more pain or sorrow forever more. Thank you Jesus!!!!! Mr. Hudman was born February 16, 1926 in Panola County, to Turner and Pearlie Sears Hudman. He was the youngest of three children and raised with a strong sense of family and hard work to provide for his family. His father, Turner Hudman, his mother, Pearlie Hudman, his brother, John Owen Hudman, and a grandson, Robert Avery Hodges, Jr., precede him in death. He is also preceded in death by a special brother-in-law, Caroll Jack Haney and his father-in-law Cleve Harrison Haney. Mr. Hudman had an impeccable work ethic. Texas Eastman Chemical Company employed him for almost 32 years and he retired from Eastman in 1982. He started his own business, Hudman Backhoe Service and Septic Systems in 1972 while continuing to work for Texas Eastman. Gum Springs Water Supply also employed him from 1962 until 2003. He was on the board for Gum Springs Cemetery Association, a previous volunteer with the Gum Springs Fire Department and a member of Senior Friends. He was a member of Little Flock Baptist Church in the Gum Springs community for almost 48 years. He loved his church dearly and looked forward to each service that he was able to attend. He raised his family in a Christian loving home and it was very important to him that each of his friends and family knew the Lord as their personal Savior. Especially in his last days on earth, he found it very important to witness to his grandchildren and make sure that they knew their salvation. Mr. Hudman met and soon married Betty Sue Haney from Carthage, Texas. They spent almost 54 wonderful years together after being married on July 8, 1950 in Texarkana, Arkansas. Betty was truly the delight of his life and he could always tell you what she wore the day he met her. He would always laugh and grin to tell you about it if, you ask. Joe and Betty were blessed with four daughters, Melinda, Jane, Sandra, and Cindy all residing in Longview. They blessed him with fourteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. In his early years, Mr. Hudman enjoyed skiing, boating, and watching automobile races. He has many plus acres of farmland that he cleared all by himself. He enjoyed his farm and raising his herd of cattle. Due to his health he finally gave up his cattle about a year ago. He still found pleasure though in spending lots of quality time with his family. He wasn?t able to work like he use to in the last year or so but, he still did the best he could. He worked more than he played, but that is truly what he enjoyed. He was not happy if, he was not performing some type of work or making time to enjoy his family. His greatest joy in life was his Lord and Savior, his loving wife, Betty, his four daughters, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his church family, and his multitude of friends. He never met a stranger. All of his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him as ?Pop? but some of them have said that he was more like a daddy to them. He loved riding them in the pasture on his four-wheeler and tractor. They brought many smiles to his heart and his memory will be cherished with them always. His wife, Betty, his daughter Melinda and her husband Larry Whitehurst, his daughter Jane and her husband Tommy Hughes, his daughter, Sandra Hudman, and the youngest daughter Cynthia and her husband Matthew Adams survive Mr. Hudman. Mr. Hudman also still has a sister, Vera Faye Stooksbury from Knoxville, Tennesee. His mother-in-law, Winnie Haney of Longview survives him. He is also survived by his grandson Shane and his wife Casey Whitehurst, grandsons Brandon and Jeremy Whitehurst, grandson Joey Rogers and wife Dee, grandson Damon Rogers, grandaughters, Misti Rogers and Alisha Hughes, grandaughter Heather Pugh and husband Jeff, grandson, Jonathan Hodges, and grandchildren, Priscilla, Jacqueline, Melissa, Crystal and Jason Mackey survive him. He is also survived by great grandchildren, Madison, Travis, Chase, Logan, Destiny, Tristan, Nicholas, Brooklyn, Dylan and Kaden, many special uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, a brother-in-law Glenn Haney and wife Margaret, sister-in-law Dovie Jo McDaniel and husband Harvey. He was also survived by his special friend, Faustino Moreno. Funeral services will be held at Little Flock Baptist Church on Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 10 am. Interment for Mr. Hudman will be at Gum Springs cemetery. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, 1617 Judson Road, where visitation is from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, May 21. Reverends Leon Veazey, Joe McGraw and Marion Coon will officiate. Memorial contributions to Little Flock Church Building Fund, 14206 FM Road 968 West, Longview, Texas 75602. Pallbearers will be Mr. Don Wilson, Mr. Jack Williams, Mr. James Mizell, Mr. Sonny Summers, Mr. Clyde Hudman, Mr. Marlon Parrymore, Mr. Homer Humphrey and Mr. Frank Reese. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Jim Mills, Mr. Joe Adams, Mr. John Leman Hudman, Mr. John Fancher, Mr. Carl Rogers, Mr. Pete Hillin, Mr. J.C. Ford, Mr. Corkey Craig, Mr. James Allen, Mr.Arnold Schluter and Mr. Steve Weir. The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of LifeCare Hospice and the multitude of friends and family that have show their love and sincere support.

Billy Joe Hudman

May 20, 2004 - May 20, 2004