Margaret Joan Hudgens Hunt's Obituary
Margaret Joan Hudgens Hunt passed to the presence of her Lord and Savior on March 18, 2025. Margaret, or Grandma as she was known to her family, was born to Howard Hudgens and Madge Thompson Hudgens on October 16, 1934. Margaret was a 1952 graduate of Fayetteville High School and a 1955 graduate of St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO. Upon graduating, she took a position at St. Luke’s Hospital in a unit that operated iron lungs, and within six months, she was promoted to charge nurse of the surgical unit. She spent four years at St. Luke’s, where she was responsible for training student nurses and assisting interns and residents in their education. During her nursing education, she edited the yearbook, served as President of the Student Council, and was recognized with the Outstanding Student Award by the Alumni Association at the time of her graduation.
On August 8, 1955, Margaret married James Robert Hunt, her sweetheart since the ninth grade. Following his graduation from dental school, they returned to Fayetteville, where Jim established a private pediatric dental practice in 1959. While raising their four children, Margaret volunteered in a variety of local organizations, including the PTA at Root Elementary School, Credit Women’s Breakfast Clubs International, and several Garden Clubs. She was also a board member of the Fayetteville Youth Center dedicating many years to competitive swimming at the state level, even functioning as a swim coach for a period of time. Both Margaret and Jim held leadership positions in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, with two years spent as the Council Committee Chair for Camp NOARK.
Margaret and Jim’s work in cross cultural missions began in 1984 and continued for 10 years with volunteer service in Togo, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Venezuela, Mexico, China, and Chile. In 1990, Margaret and Jim were appointed as medical missionaries to Enugu, Nigeria with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, serving for 1 year. Upon returning to the US, they continued to volunteer internationally for several years, primarily in South America and China. Upon retirement, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the City Hospital Attic and in various local schools helping children learn to read. After moving to Butterfield Retirement Village, she volunteered in various capacities and enhanced the Resident Ambassador role of greeting and helping new residents get settled. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, serving in a variety of roles, and relentlessly praying especially for the university ministry.
Margaret’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her greatest joy! She loved Razorback and NBA basketball, cross country track, antique and flea market shopping, auctions, and water aerobics. Her other passions were reading and playing bridge. She frequented the library on a regular basis and a book was never far from her hand. Margaret and Jim loved to travel and were curious about other cultures and people and sought to learn constantly as they “poked around the world.”
Margaret is survived by her husband of 69 years, James Hunt of Fayetteville; son Rob and wife Janelle Hunt of Yukon, Oklahoma; daughter Lisa and husband Mark Lovell of Tontitown, Arkansas; daughter Leslie and husband Daniel Sample of Hot Springs; and son Andrew and wife Teri Hunt of Maumelle, Arkansas; 12 grandchildren and 7 of their spouses and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janice Downey and brother Robert (Bob) Hudgens.
The family would like to thank their friends especially those from First Baptist Church, Fayetteville for the love and support. They also express thanks to their “buddies” and to the entire staff of Butterfield Trail Village for their support and specifically the Health Care Unit for caring for Margaret in her final weeks. WRMC Hospice is greatly appreciated for their kind care of Margaret and guidance to her family in her final days.
The following excerpt is from Margaret’s final instructions: “Our hearts desire and prayer is that our family and friends will view the life we have shared with you and do just what we are called to do: share the love of Jesus with all you contact and prepare your families to go forth with the Gospel message each day. The only things we can truly leave behind are the folks we touch and the relationships that come from that effort.”
A memorial service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church, 20 E Dickson, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions in memory of Margaret can be made to First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas, or the Butterfield Trail Village Library Fund.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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