Samuel O. Hudgies

Life’s Reflections of Mr. Samuel Odell Hudgies Sam was born June 9, 1946, to Howard and Fannie O. Hudgies in Laurel, MS. His early years of education were spent at Nora Davis Elementary School. He attended Oak Park Jr. Sr. High School where he graduated in 1964. Sam was an avid sportsman and a very talented football player during his high school days, playing for the “Mighty Oak Park Dragons.” Upon graduation, he enrolled at Tennessee State University and spent the next year there. Sam was passionate about serving his country, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he spent the next four years. He did several overseas tours, including a tour in Viet Nam which was a very hard and draining tour. Sam was in and out of the Country for the next couple of years and decided he was ready to get back to life as a civilian. In 1970 Sam put in his papers and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force. Sam accepted Christ at a very early age and was baptized at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Laurel. Like most of the children during his era, Sam was reared up in the church and taught the way of the Lord. Sam has always displayed gratitude to God for all He did for him during his tenure on earth. In 1972 Sam met a young lady by the name of Dorothy Hill and fell in love, and by February 1974, they were married. To that union one child was born, LaQuita Denise. After his active-duty years, Sam joined the Air Force Reserves as well as accepted a Civil Service position. That career led him to the MS Gulf Coast, along with relocating his family in late December 1974. Once he decided to further his education, he spent the next few years taking evening classes at one of the local USM Campuses. He graduated from the Hattiesburg, MS Campus. Sam united with First Missionary Baptist Church of Biloxi in May 1981, under the leadership of Rev. Oliver D. (O.D.) Gilmer. After becoming a Trustee of the church, Sam served in several capacities during his years there. He served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Sam was very concerned about the finances of the church; he, along with other committee members, worked tirelessly to make certain the finances were well managed in an effort of staying on top of it all. Sam loved his First Baptist Family with that “Agape” kind of love! Sam remained an active member of First Missionary Baptist Church until his health began to fail. When he could no longer serve physically, he did what he could by taking care of paperwork, planning for repairs, etc. to be done at the church, and signing documents when necessary. Sam pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Gulfport Alumni Chapter in 1988. He was on the third line to be initiated by the Gulfport Alumni Chapter, bearing the line name “Five of Diamonds”; Sam’s line name was “Slo Motion” because he never rushed to do anything. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Fannie Andrews-Hudgies; three brothers, Howard, Jr., Danny, and Thomas Hudgies, and one sister, Delores Westley; two godchildren: Antress D. Butler and Zekiah Pringle. Those left behind to celebrate his Life are: his loving wife of many years, Dorothy Hill- Hudgies, Biloxi, MS, our four children, Felecia Dante’ Smith, Highland Ranch, CO; Sonya Lynette Moffett, Ocean Springs, MS, Joe Louis Moffett, II, Biloxi, MS, and LaQuita Denise Hudgies, D’Iberville, MS; our four amazing grandchildren, Elijah Ramsey, IV, and Ethan Kincaid Ramsey, Ocean Springs, MS; Jordan Simone Conklin and Todd Alan Conklin, Jr. Highland Ranch, CO; one great-granddaughter, Charleigh Rose Ramsey; three sisters, Gloria Rice, Stone Mountain, GA, Brenda Hudgies, Stockton, CA, and Joyce A. Hudgies, Los Angeles, CA; one brother-in-law Charlie (Eleanor) Hill, Tacoma, WA, his life-long friend, Melvin Daniels, Laurel, MS, bestie and fishing buddy, Henry King and a host of nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and many other family members and friends. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 12, 2021, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Biloxi, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Infinity Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Samuel O. Hudgies. Inquiries: 228-436-6722