Minister Milfred Gattis Hudson

Minister Milfred Gattis Hudson, age 87, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife, Carol, on Sunday, November 2, 2025. He was born in Richmond County, North Carolina on December 6, 1937, to the late John Hudson and Eclipsi May Stricklin Hudson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Emma H. Sowell, Ella H. Kimbrell, Johnsie H. Riggan; one brother, Thomas Hudson; and his great-grandson, Owen Wheeler. Milfred came up hard like most folks in his area during that time. His parents passed away when he was young, so he went to live with one of his older sisters and her family. From there, he joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school. He went on to proudly serve in the United States Navy for 4 years to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class E-5 at his discharge around 1960. Soon after, he met and married his wife, Phyllis Carol Johnson, after a quick 6-week courtship. With the start of his new life and the combined guidance of a faithful mother and sister, he was directed toward a faithful service for the Lord Jesus.

He also went on to start a career in the furniture business, which required him to move from his birthplace to several towns in North Carolina and then eventually settling in Patrick County, VA. In 1980, he left the furniture business and began working for the Department of Corrections in Virginia. He had a variety of responsibilities, but the main one was running the commissary there. He achieved a total of 20 years for the State of VA before retiring in 2003.

During his whole life, he faithfully served the Lord in many congregations: he assisted starting and teaching the congregation in Wilmington, NC -7 years, he was Elder and Teacher at Stella Christian Church, Patrick Springs, VA -6 years, he assisted starting and was Teacher and Preacher at Sandy Ridge Christian Church, Sandy Ridge, NC-13 years, he was Teacher and Preacher at Mayo Christian Church, Spencer, VA -14 years, he was a beloved Teacher at Poplar Springs Christian Church, King, NC-14 years.

He baptized 310 plus people in all these years, and he had plans to visit a specific person on Monday, November 3rd, to invite them to church, but God took him to Heaven before he could. “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost” Matthew 28:19-20

He is survived by a son, Martin Gregory Hudson (Jane); a daughter, Kimberly Hudson Nelson (Barry); four grandchildren, Yevonne Hodges, Kelly Danley (Matthew), Joshua Hudson, Amber Smith (Bryson); eleven great-grandchildren, Danielle Villalobos, Kenley Wheeler, Axl Norman, Eli Danley, Levi Smith, Noah Danley, Wayne Danley, Scarlate Danley, Parker Smith, John Lee Danley, Samuel Smith; two great-great-grandchildren, Rome and Renzo Villalobos; his loving sister, Valerie Hudson Wheeler (Bud); many nieces, nephews, family members, and beloved friends.

The funeral service for Milfred will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Stuart with Associate Minister Joshua Hudson officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Stella Christian Church Cemetery. Military Rites will be provided by the Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:00 on Friday afternoon at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Sandy Ridge Christian Church, P.O. Box 152, Sandy Ridge, NC 27046. The family would like to invite everyone to a time of fellowship after the committal service in the fellowship hall of the church. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.

This is a portion of one of his many Sermons: Happenings of a Mere Man.

On a rainy and cold March Day in 1954, I was standing at my mother’s grave. I was 16 years old, and my sister was 14. We were the only two left at home and our father had died years earlier. I held her hand. She was crying and shaking. I was cold and didn’t have a coat mostly because we were poor. One of the ladies from our church gave me her husband’s coat to wear. The sleeves were too long, and I was a little embarrassed to wear it, but it sure felt warm. That day long ago I was mourning my mother with nowhere to go. Fast forward to today and I have a roof over my head, a home, a wife I love, good food and more coats than I can wear. So, you see, in my case and yours, God knows and He cares. He sees way in advance the happenings of a mere man.