OCTOBER 15 – Ernest Edward Hudgins, 86, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2009 after a long illness. “Hudge” was born in Salem, the son of Philip D. and Lucy W. Hudgins.

He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, and joined the United States Marines in 1941 (along with almost every male in his graduating class of Andrew Lewis), where he served in the Pacific Theater. After returning from the war, he became a Maryland State Trooper, then worked as an investigator for the US Civil Service Commission and the CIA alongside General Sam Wilson of Rice. After his retirement, he moved to the mountains of North Carolina. “Hudge” will be remembered for his sense of humor, his sense of justice, and for the contributions he made to his community.

Mr. Hudgins is survived by his brother, Philip “Pat” Hudgins; daughter, Lisa Hudgins and former wife, Velma Reeley Hudgins; two grandchildren by his daughter, Andrea Hudgins Zoldos (recently deceased); and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marguerite Shorter of Darlington Heights, Josephine Fisher of Atlanta, GA, and Elizabeth Berbes of Oregon.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 23, at the State Veteran's Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC.

Donations may be made to Hope Tree Family Services, PO Box 849, Salem, VA 24153. www.hopetreefs.org