Elaine Hudgins Wilson

Mrs. Joyce Elaine Hudgins Wilson, 74, of Cumming, formerly of Gainesville passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Northside Forsyth Hospital.

Elaine was born March 26, 1949, the daughter of Bonelle and Edwin Hudgins of Gainesville. She earned perfect grades in school, but had no desire for college. She wanted to marry and become a mother and grandmother. Diabetic since she was 12, Elaine suffered kidney failure when she was 41, but just before going on dialysis, received a kidney from her brother Philip. Elaine protected that kidney like the Smithsonian protects the Hope Diamond. She refused to eat or drink anything that might harm it. 

            Her caution paid off. The donor kidney performed beautifully for 33 years and seven months. But November brought several illnesses she could not overcome, and her welcome, wise, whimsical voice was silenced on Saturday, Dec. 2. She was 74. Elaine accomplished her goals in life. She became a faithful wife, a wonderful mother and a doting grandmother of five. She enjoyed cooking—she took over making apple sauce cakes for Christmas after her mother died—and she loved the Atlanta Braves. She knew the players’ names and abilities and seldom missed watching the games on television. A Christ believer since she was a teenager, Elaine had taught Sunday school at both Riverbend and Sardis Baptist churches. She was a strong advocate for people who wanted to adopt, having adopted a daughter from El Salvador.

            Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Michael D. “Mike” Wilson; son and daughter-in-law, Clay and Jennifer Wilson of Memphis; daughter and son-in-law, Traci and Chip Penland of Cumming; five grandchildren, Eli, Rosalee and Trey Penland and Anna and Stella Wilson; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Paula Hudgins and Philip and Shirley Hudgins; a brother-in-law and wife, Ronald and Jena Wilson; a sister-in-law and husband, Linda and Doug Tritt, all of Gainesville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

            Services will be Monday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Memorial Park Drive. Visitation will be from 1 until 3:30. The Rev. Scott Gilbert and Chip Penland, her son-in-law, will officiate, and interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com