Obituary of Virginia Sturdivant

Virginia Hudgins Sturdivant born April 18, 1919 died peacefully on January 26, 2013 in Cherry Hill, NJ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Gladys (Braudt) Hudgins; her three brothers, Lewis, Ralph and Brooks; and her husband of 43 years, Walter Richard (Dick) Sturdivant. Born on the family farm five miles south of Hale Center, Virginia was the granddaughter of one of Hale County's founding fathers, Capt B A Hudgins. She attended school in the Iowa Avenue Community and Cotton Center, graduating in 1935. After graduation, Virginia moved with her family to Pharr, Texas where she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary. She married Dick Sturdivant in 1940 and moved back to Cotton Center. During the war years, she lived in Dallas working while Dick served overseas. Once the war was over, the couple moved back to Cotton Center. In Cotton Center Virginia was an active member of the Cotton Center Baptist church where she held many positions. She was an enthusiastic member of the Cotton Center Women's Club. She was a loving and proud mother and a tireless supporter of her children's activities. She was also a devoted and doting grandmother. After Dick's death in 1983 Virginia moved to Hale Center in 1985. She joined the First Baptist Church of Hale Center and was a faithful member. Due to failing health, Virginia moved in 2004 to New Jersey to be near her son. Her first two years in New Jersey she was in poor health in a nursing home. Her health then so improved that she was able to move to an assisted living apartment where she was a favorite of all the staff. After her health once more deteriorated, she lived the last year in a nursing home. Her spirits remained high and cheerful to the end. Virginia was much loved by and is survived by her daughter Ann Sturdivant of San Antonio, TX; her son and wife Rick and Kristi Sturdivant of Moorestown, NJ; one granddaughter and husband Sarah and Kays Al-Atrakchi of Los Angeles, CA; one grandson and wife Scott and Heather Sturdivant of Littleton, CO; and one great-grandson, Soren Sturdivant. Graveside services will be held at the Center Plains Cemetery, Cotton Center on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 2 PM. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Hale Center, TX. The family will gather at Abell Funeral Home to receive friends Friday from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. The family suggests contributions in Virginia's name may be made to the Hale Center Public Library, the Hale Center Senior Citizen's Center, or either of the Baptist churches in Cotton Center or Hale Center. Serving as pallbearers are David Carver, John Starnes, Joe McFerrin, Tommy Horsford, Morris Applewhite and Jerry Rieff.