Betty Alyne Hudson, 83, of Jackson died Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Mrs. Hudson was born Sept. 29, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, the middle daughter of Wilson and Doraretta Searcey Blumenberg. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Martin Hudson, on June 16, 1988, in Jackson. Mr. Hudson preceded her in death Jan. 3, 2008.

Mrs. Hudson was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1965 and a master's in education in 1973. Her teaching career spanned 27 years at Patton, Holcomb and Gideon school districts, retiring in 1988, after serving the latter for 22 years as an elementary reading specialist.

Hudson, a lifelong Methodist, was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. She also was a former member of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, the Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society and United Methodist Women.

Betty studied nutrition and was an avid gardener. She was an excellent cook; her fried chicken and apple pies were family favorites. She loved to read and spent many years studying the economy and markets.

Survivors include a daughter, Dawn (Dr. Kenneth) Detring of Jackson; a son, James Dement (Donna) of Tulsa, Okla.; former husband and father of her children, James F. Dement of Cape Girardeau; and five granddaughters, Amanda (Brian) Bonfanti of Wildwood, Mo., Meredith (Jason) Holt of Dexter, Mo., Sarah Detring of Oxford, Miss., Dana Dement of Houston and Megan Dement of Tulsa; and a great granddaughter, Mia Grace Bonfanti. Three stepdaughters and their families also survive.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, David R. Dement; and sisters Mary Statler and Louise Brown.

A private memorial service will be held later.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.