Robert Eugene Hudgins

Robert Eugene Hudgins, better known as Bob or Buster to friends and family, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 72.

Born on June 18, 1952, to George Harry and Mabel (Smith) Hudgins, he was given the name Robert, but everyone called him Buster, including his baby sister Ann, born two years later. He grew up in Lewisville, North Carolina, enjoying family camping trips in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Carolina Beach. During summer breaks, he and Ann had adventures at Nanny and Pa’s, riding Kate the mule, milking cows, and going on trailer rides with all the cousins at Uncle Ray and Aunt Hazel’s cookouts.

After graduating from West Forsyth High School in 1970, Bob went on to become a Pirate at East Carolina University. In between playing pinball, hanging out at the Baptist Student Union (BSU), and convincing Jane Craft to date and marry him, Bob earned a degree in Mathematics. The friendships he made in the BSU lasted his whole life, with regular reunions and get-togethers, including a memorable New Year’s trip to Atlanta to cheer the Pirates to victory over the NC State Wolfpack at the 1992 Peach Bowl.

After college and a few years in Statesville and Winston-Salem, Bob and Jane made their home in Lewisville, where they raised their three children, Katherine, David, and Stephen. The family enjoyed weekend drives in the mountains, watching movies together, and trips to Washington, D.C., Disney World, and visits to family in Michigan, Atlanta, and White Lake. Bob raised a family just as talkative as he was, and family dinners were always full of lively conversations. Family was very important to Bob, and he rejoiced in his promotion to “Papa” with the birth of his granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kourey. The family had several cats over the years, who always loved Bob best. He feigned indifference but was delighted to have the cats curling up in his arms (or his shoes). Biscuits, the family cat, especially loved riding around the house with him.

A lifelong member of Lewisville Baptist Church, Bob was part of countless ministries and events, including serving as a deacon and playing in the handbell choir. The two roles he found the most joy in were his decades of holding down the tenor section of the choir and teaching the (less-than-creatively named) Adult Co-Ed II Sunday School class. The Co-Ed II class remained active long after there was a Co-Ed I, and many dear friends of Bob and Jane were part of that class. Bob was a good sport for every deacon social but would rather not be reminded of the time he made Jane’s famous Carrot Cake recipe for the Men’s Baking Competition—when some frosting misadventures left him with the “Ugliest Cake” award (not that it slowed anyone down from eating it!).

Bob’s interest in the emerging field of computers during college led to a career as a systems analyst that spanned industries. His hardworking loyalty had him working for McLean Trucking Company and Salem Carpets longer than the companies actually existed! He finished out his career with Wrangler/Vanity Fair, working with many great coworkers over the years.

The saying “they have never met a stranger” might have been written for Bob. From childhood on, he found not just acquaintances but true friends wherever he went. This was especially true at his morning coffee stops and his favorite auction houses.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters-in-law Jean Mahoney and Carol Howell; and nieces and nephew Ana Hiles, Joshua Hiles, and Joann Happe. He is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Katherine Dohl (Keith) of Chester, Virginia, David Hudgins of Lewisville, and Stephen Hudgins of Lewisville; granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kourey Dohl; sister, Ann Chastain (Tom) of Mackinac City, Michigan; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Wooten (Jimmy) of Wilson; brothers-in-law, Stephen Craft (Loria) of Walstonburg and John Mahoney of Cary; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. 

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Lewisville location of Hayworth-Miller Funeral Homes. The funeral service will be the next day, Monday, December 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Lewisville Baptist Church, with a luncheon following in the Fellowship Hall. The service will be officiated by Gary McDonald with music by Jane and Mark Bardou and organist Pat Kinnaman. Bob’s nephews and son-in-law will serve as pallbearers.