Herbert Eugene Hudgins, 1900-1990

Herbert Eugene Hudgins was born in Baltimore, Maryland, November 20, 1900, the product of a Methodist Protestant home. Early in his life he felt the call to the ministry. He was educated at Western Maryland College and Westminster Theological Semi- nary (now Wesley Theological Seminary), where he received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Sacred Theology degrees. He was received as a probationary member of the former Maryland conference of the Methodist Protestant Church in 1925 and was ordained an elder in 1927.

His years in the ministry were marked with conspicuous success. From 1925 to 1969 he served pastorates in the Maryland conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, and within the Virginia conference of the United Methodist Church he served churches in Arlington, Manassas, Newport News, Farmville, Danville, Covington and Roanoke. During this time he also served on the staff of the General Board of Education. In his retirement he served for over seven years as minister of visitation at Boulevard United Methodist Church where his ministry added a depth of warmth and meaning to the service of that great church. Wherever he served (he people responded with enthusiasm, and expressed genuine grief when the bishop moved him on.

He is survived by his wife, Louise, a faithful partner in his ministry across the years; his daughter and a son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. L. Arnold Frederick; a granddaughter, Carol F. Gentry; grandson, Dr. Louis A. Frederick, Jr.; and one great-grandson, John Christopher Gentry, Jr.

Herbert Hudgins was a loving husband, a devoted father, a faithful pastor and a winsome servant of Christ. He incarnated day by day the Gospel he preached. What better legacy could any person leave?

Funeral services were held in Boulevard United Methodist Church on September 25, at 11:00 a.m., conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Matthew W. Jones, IV, Dr. Eugene B. Wright, and Bishop R. Kern Eutsler.

-R. Kern Eutsler