Iris Davidson Hudgens, 95, a resident of Summer Vista Assisted Living, Pensacola and a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully into eternal life on Saturday, December 26, 2020 after an extended illness and recent exposure to the COVID virus.

Iris was born at home in Mobile, AL on September 5, 1925 and graduated from Murphy High School, Mobile in 1942. She immediately went to work at Brookley Field in Mobile where she worked as a teletypist during World War II. Not long after, she met her lifetime sweetheart, 'Jimmie' and following the war they married in June of 1946. Throughout the next 13 years she moved 13 times in support of her husband's Naval career. She was instrumental in encouraging her husband to resign so they could lead a more 'normal' life and raise their children together. She would move another 4 times in support of her husband's Engineering career, but they returned to Pensacola and retired here in 1988. They enjoyed 68 wonderful years together.

Iris was a devoted wife and mother to her three children and seven grandchildren. She ran the gauntlet of getting children to school, to church activities, to dance classes, scouting events, sports activities as well as carving out time for her own bridge parties. She was an active member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church for 63 years, where she taught Sunday School and assisted with the activities of the ECW Christmas Caravan every year. She later joined the senior Christophers for their monthly outings. In their Golden Years, Iris and her husband joined their friends in ballroom dancing and square dancing, and they shared many vacation trips together and Navy Reunions. Iris was a fabulous cook whereby many gathered around the table to enjoy a great meal. She loved her family, her church, her friends. Her sweet and gentle spirit will forever remain in us as the model of unconditional love and hospitality we can all aspire to.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Justice Hudgens and her father, Arthur Alexander Davidson and her mother, Lucille Lyle Davidson Paust along with her two brothers and one sister.

Her survivors include her children, Dave (Monica) Hudgens of Mountain Center, CA, Steve (Pam) Hudgens of Springfield, VA and Janet Hudgens (Rogers) Hornsby of Pensacola, FL; 7 grandchildren, Michelle (Jake) Lehmann of Alexandria, VA, Sean Hudgens of New Zealand, Laura (Ben) Kaminski of Fairfax, VA, Travis (Christine) Hornsby of St Louis, MO, Rachel Hudgens of Lorton, VA, Roy Hornsby of Orlando, FL, and Dennis Hornsby II of Atlanta, GA; and 2 new great-grandchildren this year, Noah Kaminski and Margot Hornsby.

A graveside service will be held 10:30am Wednesday December 30, 2020 at Holy Cross Cemetery with The Reverend Nick Phares, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32503. The family would like to thank these special angels who cared lovingly for Momma over time: Aleta, Lynn, Ray, Ty, Noelle, Kadesha, Kaylee, Tina, Samantha.