Emma Willis Cordon Hudson, 93, of Pantego, died November 27, 2017 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

Mrs. Hudson was born November 8, 1924 in Bath, to J.C. Cordon and Lotha Tingle Cordon. She graduated from Bath High School. On May 17, 1942 she married Joseph Madison Hudson. They made their home in Pantego, and were members of Pantego Christian Church. She sang in the choir for many years and was involved in Christian Women’s Fellowship, as well as many other church functions.

Mrs. Hudson prided herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and homemaker. She loved family, friends and good food. She was an avid reader, and sometimes found it difficult to find a book at Belhaven Public Library that she had not read. Some of her fondest memories were of travels with her sisters to Switzerland, Italy, Austria, England, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Canada and Mexico.

For over 40 years she enjoyed her card group. Many afternoons were spent playing “Rook.” She was always excited to host the group at her home. Preceding her in death are her husband, Joseph Madison Hudson; brothers, Josephus Cordon, Joseph Harold Cordon, Willie Muriel Cordon, Ernest Cordon; and sister, Christine Heath. Her surviving family members include son, Joseph Madison Hudson Jr. (Col USAF Ret) and wife Mary of New Bern, NC; daughter, Brenda Hudson Respess and husband Jack of Pantego; son, Roger Maylon Hudson and wife Janet of Pantego; daughter Stacey Hudson Gise and husband Jeff of Winterville, NC; grandchildren, Brian Mitchell Hudson and wife Karin of Fairfax, VA, Gregory Cordon Hudson and wife Katie of Raleigh, NC, Joshua Carter Respess and wife Jenny of Bath, Hunter Ben Respess of Bath, Emalie Janet Padilla and husband Adam of Virginia Beach, VA, Madison Elaine Hudson and friend Devin Poole of Cary, NC, and Hudson Lee Gise of Greenville, NC; great-grandchildren, Hannah Hope Hudson, Holland Mae Hudson, Mattie Waylon Respess, Jackson Carter Respess and Molly Jo Respess; sisters, Clara Hodges of Virginia Beach, VA, Vivian Thompson of Washington and Nancy Wallace of Rincon, GA. Hairdressers Polly Adams and Karen Jefferson were special friends to Mrs. Hudson. She always looked forward to her weekly visits with them. If she missed an appointment with them, her family knew that something really bad was going on. Mrs. Hudson had most recently lived in Autumnfield of Belhaven. She received excellent care there, and the staff were always loving and committed to making things the best that they could be. The family would also like to thank the staff at Vidant Beaufort and AseraCare. Their expertise and compassion made a world of difference in this difficult time. Our family will be forever grateful. A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 29, 2017 in the chapel of Hillside Funeral Service with Reverend Jim Bussell officiating. Music will be provided by Doug Cutler. Burial will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens, Washington, with the following serving as pallbearers: Hudson Gise, Adam Padilla, Josh Respess, Brian Hudson, Greg Hudson and Hunter Respess. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Hillside Funeral Service. Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 East, Washington, has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Hudson family.