Mrs. Martha Dell Purvis Hudson

Mrs. Martha Dell Purvis Hudson, 88 of Salisbury, NC passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, Salisbury. Mrs. Hudson was born April 25, 1926 in Salisbury, the daughter of the late Dr. S.P. Purvis and Belle Hicks Purvis. Mrs. Hudson was educated in the Salisbury City Schools, UNC at Greensboro the Class of 1947 and received her Master’s Degree in Education in 1985 from UNC at Charlotte. She taught and directed the Kindergarten program at the First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, the first accredited program in North Carolina. She continued her teaching career with the Rowan County School System, retiring from Granite Quarry Elementary School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, where she served on the Administrative Board, was a member of the Daisy Hedrick Sunday School Class, and volunteered with the youth, teaching Sunday school, leading the MYF program, and working with the Senior Girl Scouts. She was a former member of the Salisbury Junior Women’s Club and member of the Story Telling League, the Tea and Topic Book Club and was President of the Trinity Oaks Library. She enjoyed socializing with her friends at Trinity Oaks, playing bridge at every opportunity, knitting, and her daily crossword puzzle. She enjoyed her friends of many years as well as cultivating new friends at every opportunity. Preceding her in death along with her parents are husband, Thomas F. Hudson, who passed away on Feb. 13, 2002, and sisters, Mary Elizabeth Finlator and Belle Hicks Gaskill, and son in-law, Timothy R. Piper, Sr. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Mr. John T. Hudson of Salisbury, daughters, Mrs. Belle H. (Bee) Piper of Greensboro, Ms. Laura H. Kesler (Jacky Brown) of West Jefferson and Mrs. Dell H. Strayhorn (Blake) of Raleigh; grandchildren, Alex Hudson of Charleston, SC, Elizabeth Hudson of Salisbury, T. Rowe Piper (Alysha) of Greensboro, Emily P. Brame (Justin) of Greensboro, Christopher Kesler of Boone, Alexis Kesler of West Jefferson, Will Strayhorn of Raleigh, Thomas H. Strayhorn of Raleigh and seven great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday (Apr 25) at First United Methodist Church, Salisbury by Dr. Mark Conforti, Sr. Pastor. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. Memorials: First United Methodist Church, 217 South Church Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 and Rowan Public Library 201 West Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home of Salisbury is assisting the Hudson family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Martha Dell Purvis Hudson

April 25, 1926 - April 21, 2015