Rachel M. Ledbetter Hudgings

Mrs. Rachel Marie Ledbetter Hudgings, 84, of Gosnell died Friday night, November 26, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mrs. Hudgings was born in the Gosnell community to Bud and Elsie Ledbetter on December 7, 1925. She traveled to Providence, R.I. to marry Hughie Hudgings, also from Gosnell, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.

Mrs. Hudgings was predeceased by her parents and her husband.

Survivors include a daughter Karen Green Hogue; two grandchildren: Jimmy Bunch and Emily Bunch Quick of Blytheville; and two great-grandchildren: Chase Gifford and Emily Gifford of Branson, Missouri.

After her daughter was enrolled in first grade, Mrs. Hudgings continued her education as a commuter student at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She obtained her degree in three years, graduating with honors. She jokingly said that she got it in such a short time, because she was "tired of picking cotton."

Her teaching career at Gosnell Elementary School spanned more than 30 years. Her love of education and the pride she had for her students were an inspiration to her family. She took great joy in working with children, especially problem children, and seeing the achievement they obtained.

She loved music, soap operas, flowers and working outside, however, her number one hobby was her family. After her father's death, she moved her mother into her home to take care of her. When her daughter was asked about the first thing she thought of when her mother was mentioned, Karen said, "My Mother's love for me." Husband, grandchildren, and great-children were included in that love.

In addition to teaching school, Rachel and Hughie built a small motel adjacent to their home in Gosnell. Rachel was a hands-on person who helped design, construct and manage the motel and could often be seen cleaning rooms prior to reporting to work at the school.

After retirement from teaching, she and Hughie continued to operate the motel for many years. When Rachel's abilities began to decline due to Alzheimers, she remained a joy to her loved ones, as she was all her life, whether it was in the cotton fields, working in a defense plant, continuing her education, teaching, or loving her family. She remained determined to do her best even with a disease that slowly stole all those things she held most dear.

Rachel was a member of the Gosnell Baptist Church, the ASU Alumni Association, and the Retired Teacher's Association.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2:00 PM at Carney Funeral Home Chapel in Blytheville, with Dr. Eddie Clemons and Dr. Tommy Carney officiating.

Visitation will be at Carney Funeral Home just prior to the service, from 1 until 2, Monday.

She will be buried at Elmwood Cemetery, beside her beloved husband and next to her parents.

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