Almena Hudgens

Mrs. Almena Irby Hudgens was born in Greenville, South Carolina on March 25, 1943, and she departed this life on Thursday May 5, 2016. She was a daughter of the late Minnie Foggie Irby and the sister of the late Raymond Irby.

As a young teenager she joined the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, which began her Christian journey. She along with her husband, joined First Christian Fellowship Church where she spent many years as the President of the Pastor’s Aide Committee. She later became a member of The Equipping Center, where she holds the title of the First Mother of the Church.

She began such ministries as the Prison Ministry, A Can, Can Make a Difference Ministry for those in need of food, as well as the Clothing Ministry. She volunteered at numerous nursing homes and was consistent in visiting the sick. Her selfless acts of kindness will be remembered forever.

She was united in holy matrimony to Elder Hasker Hudgens, Sr. Together they had six children, Michael Anthony (Yvonne) Hudgens, Velda D. Williams, Pastor Hasker (Deanna) Hudgens, Jr., Albert (Savitria) Hudgens, Joannitha (Calvin) Franklin and James Gregory Hudgens and a special daughter, Teresa Duncan; one sister, Juanita (Odell) Cleveland; three brothers, John (Cora) Irby, Anthony (Michelle) Wilson and Jerome Hatton. She had twenty-two grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and spiritual children.