Leona Faye Hudson

Leona Faye Hudson, 81, beloved wife of Charles “Chuck” Hudson, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in Dahlonega.

Leona was born July 27, 1941, in Springfield, Colorado, to Charles Elmer Hasty and Julia Catherine Becker Hasty. She was raised on her family’s cattle ranch and wheat farm in Villegreen, CO and graduated from Kim High School as senior class salutatorian.  

Leona met her husband-to-be while in High School competing with rival 4H Club projects and sports. Teen sweethearts Leona and Chuck enrolled at Colorado State University and married in Trinidad, CO on July 9^th, 1960. To this union, their daughters Kathy (1961), Karen (1963) and Kristine (1966) were born.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents and four older brothers. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years; daughter, Kathy Smith (Brooklyn Park, MN); daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Phil Rizzo (St. Petersburg, FL); daughter and son-in-law, Kristine and Martin Titus  (Gainesville, GA); granddaughter and her husband, Brianna and Borys Puentes (St. Petersburg, FL); granddaughter, Marina Rizzo (St. Petersburg, FL); grandson, Austin Toole (Cumming, GA); and, great granddaughter, Noelle Puentes (St. Petersburg, FL).

After a 20-year career as a dental office manager, Leona retired with her husband, who had a 37-year career with USDA, to the foothills of the Grand Mesa in Colorado where they created great memories RVing in the Colorado mountains and winter months in Florida. They moved from Battlement Mesa, CO to Dahlonega in 2006 and joined Dahlonega United Methodist Church. In 2015, they purchased a beach condo in Redington Shores, FL and began their “snowbird” lifestyle, splitting time between Georgia and Florida.

Leona loved to read all her life, and retirement life afforded her the opportunity to pursue that passion. In the late 60’s and 70’s she was blessed to share her Christian faith leading Bible studies and serving on many weekend retreats with the Lay Witness Mission Program originated by the Methodist Church. She traveled to retreats in Virginia, West Virginia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska to share her faith.

A Celebration of Life for Leona will be held at Dahlonega United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 2pm and will be officiated by Dr. Steve Schofield. Interment of her cremains will be held in Trinidad, Colorado at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Way Point Ministries, 129 Center Point Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533. For more information, you may call (706) 864-7110. Thank you.

Arrangements by Dahlonega Funeral Home.