Eddie Fern Hudson

Eddie Fern Hudson, 93, of Abilene went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 21, 2014 after a short illness. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 24, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Rev. Rodney Watson officiating. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday in Eastlawn Cemetery in Early. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Eddie Fern was born March 21, 1921, in Brown County, to Nelson and Pearl Pace Gabbert. She was the fourth of five children with three sisters, Thelma Mercer Bullard, Doris Underwood, and Ione Robbins, all of whom preceded her in death, and one brother, Duane Gabbert, of Fort Worth. She is survived by a daughter, Brenda Smith and her husband, Lewis, of Abilene, and a son, Milton Jan Hudson and his wife, Kim, of Liberty Hill. She had seven grandchildren, Stephen Smith and his wife, Darcy; Cody Smith and his wife, Barbara; Amy Quintana and her husband, Fernando; Jason Alford and his wife, Lori; Jennifer Dixon and her husband, Eric; Josh Hudson and his wife, Erin; and Janna Hudson. In addition, she had sixteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She married the love of her life, Milton Lee Hudson, in Comanche in 1940. They enjoyed forty-seven years together before he preceded her death in 1986. Eddie Fern owned and operated Fern’s Beauty Shop in Brownwood for many years before moving to Temple. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and being involved in their lives. She was a very talented artist and crafter, winning many awards through the years for her painting and arts and crafts projects, including winning first place for her needlepoint in this year’s West Texas Fair. She loved playing board games with family and friends and was known for always being competitive. She was loved by her many friends at Rose Park Senior Center where she was a volunteer for many years. She also loved her friends in her monthly Bunco group. She was active in Eastern Star in Temple and Brownwood. She was a member of Wylie Baptist Church in Abilene. Eddie Fern will be remembered by her family and friends for her love of life. She enjoyed being a part of family travel, adventure, and activities. She had a generous heart and caring nature, so much so that she opened her home to those in need. She raised two young nephews, and lovingly cared for a sister, her mother, and her mother-in-law in their later years. The family extends our heartfelt thanks to the nurses at Hendrick ICU and to the caregivers, staff, and volunteers at Hendrick Hospice Care. The family requests that memorials be made to Rose Park Senior Center, PO Box 60, Abilene, TX 79604, or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79601. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.