Opening Prayer
Read by Lyndsay A. Gracin
Please bow your heads and join in prayer.
As we gather to celebrate the life of Mary George Gracin- Hudson, let us find joy in the memories we hold, the legacy she left us, and the promise of eternal life, knowing her spirit now rejoices in a place of peace and love. Father God, we thank you for the gift of her life and the love she shared with us.
May the Lord add a blessing to the reading of his word.
~Acknowledgements
~
God bless each of you for reaching out to our family and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers during our bereavement. Thank you so much for your calls, visits, flowers, cards, refreshments and words of encouragement, which helped bring us comfort during a difficult time.
~The Gracin and Hudson Family
“A Silent Tear”
by Gaynor Llewellyn
Read by Jennifer Hudson-Crook
Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I’m really still there inside your mind
Don’t cry for me now I’m gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear
Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
I’m in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as “UP ABOVE”
Charles Hudson
~Honorary Pallbearers
Louise Cross, III
~
George Gracin, Jr.
Ronald Gearing
Charles Clark, Jr. Rickey Hudson, Sr.
John Perez
~Actiue Pallbearers
William Hudson, Jr.
Terrence Thomas
~
Benjamin Perez
Matthew Thomas Rickey Hudson, Jr.
Tony Banks Alandan Pinkston Cleophus Alan Hudson
~
Interment
~
Friday, March 21, 2025• 2:00 P.M.
Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery 5668 Poplar Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38119
~ Repast ~
Mt. Pisgah CME Church 2490 Park Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38114
Life’s Reflections
Mary George Gracin-Hudson, 81, of Memphis, TN, died on March 7th, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 17th,1943, the first of three children, to George Richard Gracin Sr. and Mary Virginia Kieffer-Gracin. Mary was the Mardi Gras Queen for the Jugs Social Club of New Orleans, Head Buccanette and Salutatorian of L.B. Landry High School in Algiers, Louisiana. She attended Fisk University where she studied languages and education. In 1960, while at Fisk, she met her lifelong partner, William Henry Hudson, who gave her the nickname “Joy” by which she would be better known.
After graduating from Fisk In 1964 she married the love of her life and moved to Memphis, TN. Her career with Memphis School District encompassed 40 years of service including being a Spanish Teacher, Memphis City Schools Drug and Alcohol Coordinator, and finally retiring as a guidance counselor at White Station High School. Simultaneously she served a brief stint as a board member of The Memphis City Beautiful Commission. She was a founding member of her Ebonique Bridge Social Club of 50 years, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was a dedicated helper/elder at Mt. Pisgah CME Church, where she served on The Higher Education Ministry, The ISAAC Lane Missionary Circle and the Usher Board #1 Ministry.
Mary is survived by her two children, Michele (John) Hudson- Perez and William “Bill” (Nicole) Hudson Jr.; and her grandson Benjamin William Perez. Siblings Patsy (Ronald) Gearing and her brother, George “Butch” Richard (Denise) Gracin Jr.; Brother-in-Laws Charles (Alice) Hudson and Dr. Rickey (Carol) Hudson Sr., Sisters-in-Laws; Barbara Thomas and Angela Hudson. Siblings preceded in death (In-laws) Cleophus (Rose) Hudson Sr., Herman (Cecilia) Hudson, and T.C. Thomas.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Poem for Ending Program
Submitted by Candice G. Thomas
As I sit in Heaven And watch you everyday, I try to let you know with signs I never went away.
I hear you when you’re laughing, and watch you as you sleep.
I even place my arms around you to calm you as you weep.
I see you wish the days away, begging to have me home.
So I try to send you signs so you know you are not alone. Don’t feel guilty that you have life that was denied to me. Heaven is truly beautiful, just you wait and see.
So live your life, laugh again, enjoy yourself, be free! Then I know with every breath you take you’ll be taking one for me.
