Eloise "Tiny" Hudson, 66, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born in Lilbourn, Missouri, to Andrew and Clementine Terry Thomas Sept. 18, 1957. Eloise married James T. Hudson of Cape Girardeau on April 19, 1980.

She graduated from Lilbourn High School in 1976 and received her associate degree in child care guidance from Southeast Missouri State University in 2003. She was known as "Mrs. Hudson" to all her Head Start children through the East Missouri Action Agency, where she was a teacher and later a family advocate. She retired in December 2021.

Eloise's hobbies were shopping and praising the Lord.

She was a faithful member of Faith Temple in Wyatt, Missouri, under the leadership of Pastor Steve Betts. She gave herself back to God under the leadership of the late Superintendent Limmie D. Pulliam, who also married her and James.

Eloise's last wish was to have everyone be happy and to praise God, as we know where she is headed — To be with the Lord!

She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory her loving husband of 43 years, James T. Hudson; daughter, Carmelia Hudson-Coney; granddaughter, Sierra Hudson; sisters, Ruth Thomas, Vicki Thomas, Barbara (Anthony) Criglar and Brenda (Greg) McKeller; and sister-in-law, Delores Wright, all from Missouri; brothers, Duane (Renee) Thomas of Texas, Andrew Thomas of Missouri and Travis Thomas of Texas; and brother-in-law, Issac Johnson of Missouri. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and her Head Start families.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and sister-in-law, Evelyn Pulliam, Dorothy Rhone and Naomi Johnson; and brothers and brothers-in-law, Emmanual Thomas, John Henry Thomas, Robert Pulliam, Johnathan Johnson and David Johnson.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 14, at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at noon Saturday, Oct. 14, at the funeral home, with Superintendent Steve Betts officiating. Burial will be at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family to apply toward funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.