Obituary of Bette Graham Hudson

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 Bette Graham Hudson was ushered into the presence of our Lord and Savior on August 20th, 2020. She was 85 years young. Bette was born a small- town southern girl in Sulligent Alabama on October 14, 1934 to Clifford and Polly Graham, of Fayette, Alabama. Her lovely Auburn locks and deep dark brown eyes served her well during her teens and early 20s as a model and beauty pageant contestant. Not one to hang her hat on pageants, Bette graduated from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA and went on to analyze rocket fuel as a chemical engineer for the Apollo space program. She met her sweetheart Richard Carl Hudson, MD in central Florida and they married on June 14th, 1958. They raised their family in south Florida while also enjoying the high country of North Carolina for over the last 2 decades. Bette is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dick Hudson, her 3 loving daughters, Lise Hudson, (Glenn Graves), Laura Hudson Hamre, (Jay), Leslie Hudson Russell, (David), her 2 granddaughters, Tatum Olivia Russell, 15 and Avery Pauline Vigar Russell, 13. She is also survived by her cousin, Jane Graham Hollis Meherg, and her 2 nieces, Mary Jane Meherg, and Laura Anne Meherg Teel. Bette dedicated her life to Christian service in various lay leadership roles, leading Bible Study worship at several Palm Beach county churches as well as serving as a Soprano vocalist in the Lakeside Presbyterian Choir. When most of her peers were winding down their careers, Bette ramped hers up acquiring her Masters- in- Counseling at the ripe age of 60. She went on to serve as a mental health counselor for Catholic Charities. Bette also shared her lifelong passion of painting with others that spanned more than six decades. She was a tremendous cook (having run her own catering business while raising three girls), golfer, and adored her dogs (both pure bred and mixed would suffice). Her charitable endeavors included: The Junior League of the Palm Beaches, and the American Cancer Society among others. Bette was known for her quick wit, infectious sarcasm and her powerful yet compassionate spirit. Bette will be buried at the Church of the Holy Cross in Valle Crucis, North Carolina on August 28th, 2020. A private celebration of Bette's life will be later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bette's name to one of the following: Lakeside Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach, FL; Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Valle Crucis, NC, or Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue in NC. Online condolences may be shared with the Hudson family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hudson family.