Obituaries
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colors that remind you of her vibrance.
Rose Collins Hudson was born on April 15, 1937, in Canton, Mississippi from the union of James Collins, Sr., and Clara Hart Collins. To this union, five daughters and one son were born, and Rose was the first daughter and second-born child.
Rose and her family moved from Canton to Memphis, Tennessee, when she was in the sixth grade. Even at that early age, people noted what a kind and gentle spirit she possessed. Everyone who knew her also was clear that Rose followed all rules to the letter of the law.
A few years later, Rose discovered her love for English while she was a student at Booker T. Washington High School. She graduated from Booker T in 1955, and continued her education at LeMoyne Owen College. She quickly became a stellar student in her English classes, which led to her landing a job as the English professor’s assistant. As the professor’s assistant, she tutored students and even graded the work of some of her close peers. To their dismay, she held true to her strict rule-following nature and exercised no mercy when marking papers.
Also during her college years, Rose joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1956. She continued to excel in English in college and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English in 1959.
While at LeMoyne, Rose also met her life-long partner, Cleophus Hudson, Jr., and the two married on April 9, 1960. Soon after, Rose and “Clee,” as she adoringly called him, started careers in education together with the Memphis City Schools system. Rose was a fourth grade teacher at Cummings Elementary School and Cleophus was a math teacher at Hamilton High School. To advance her career, Rose returned to graduate school at Memphis State University, where she earned a Master's degree in Education. She taught at several other schools, including Bellevue Jr. High, Messick High and finished her career at East High School.
Rose enjoyed the early days of her career and building a life with Clee. And in 1968, their joy was amplified by the birth of their only child, Cleophus Alan Hudson, who she always fondly referred to as “Al.”
With her little family in tow, Rose would spend the next several years teaching and traveling across the country, taking in national monuments, enjoying family reunions, attending church conferences and HBCU football games, and simply living life to the fullest. Even after Alan left the nest, she and Clee spent as much time as possible traveling with family and friends. Later in life they especially enjoyed cruising the Caribbean.
While Alan was growing up, Rose took up the hobby of cake decorating. Initially she made his birthday cakes, but soon she became the baker known in the family for her amazing pound cakes and her beautiful wedding cakes. In fact, she made the wedding cakes for countless friends and family members’ weddings throughout the years.
She eventually retired from Memphis City Schools after over 30 years of service. And once Alan married and started a family of his own, one of Rose’s favorite places to visit was Houston to spend time with her only grandchild, Clark Alan Hudson. She adored Clark, and she loved when he became old enough to spend time with her and Clee in Memphis during the summer.
When she wasn’t doting on her grandson, baking or traveling, Rose enjoyed attending shows with her friends at local theaters and even volunteered as an usher on occasion. She loved being on the go, and her friends always knew she would be up for an outing or trying something new.
Rose was known and beloved by so many who crossed her path. She was selfless, gentle, and lovely inside and out. She had the most infectious laugh and a sense of wit that was evident even in her final chapter. Rose lived a wonderful life and shared a beautiful story with her family and friends.
Ultimately, she and the love of her life were married 57 years before he was called to be with the Lord. Now they are reunited in their love to reminisce until eternity.
Rose is preceded in death by her husband Cleophus Hudson, Jr., her parents James, Sr., and Cora Collins; and her siblings James Collins, Jr., Mary Thompson and Rebecca Brown. She is survived by her son Cleophus Alan Hudson (Angela); sisters Alice Collins and Cora Collins; grandson Clark Alan Hudson; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
8
Jun
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
8
Jun
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Cemetery Details
Location
5668 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38119
