Ola Gertrude Hudson

A Life of Purpose, Education, and Grace

Ola Gertrude Hudson, a pillar of the Nashville community, a dedicated educator, and a woman of profound faith and service, peacefully entered into eternal rest on May 25, 2026.

Early Life and Foundation

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Ola was the seventh of nine children born to Benjamin and Rachael Tarrant Hudson. All eight siblings preceded Ola in death. They were Frank, Jr., Mary (McEwen), Robert (Bobby), Rae, William (Bill), Mabel (Tipton), Andrew, and Charles.

Her life was defined early on by her devotion to family, sharp intellect, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She received her spiritual grounding and strong personal tenacity in her loving home and in Spruce Street Baptist Church, where she was baptized at age 11 and spent over 80 years of active and faithful membership. Her academic foundation took flight in the historic halls of Pearl High School, graduating with the Class of 1947. It was during these formative years that she cultivated her lifelong friendships and a deep pride in her community that lasted one month short of 96 years.

A Legacy of Excellence in Education Believing fiercely in the power of education, Ola pursued higher learning at her beloved alma mater, Tennessee State University. She earned both her Bachelor of Science (1951) and Master of Science (1953) in Home Economics Education, setting the stage for a monumental career.

She began her journey as a young educator in Franklin, Tennessee, where her natural talent for mentoring and guiding students quickly became evident. She went on to dedicate a remarkable 40 years of service to the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System (MNPS) as a highly respected teacher and administrator. Her career was defined not just by the subjects she taught, but by the countless young lives she shaped, inspired, and uplifted.

Her immense contributions to education were recognized on a national scale when she received the prestigious 1890 Universities Career Exemplar Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. A loyal "Vintager," one of her proudest moments came in the fall of 2019, when she was honored to serve as a Grand Marshal for the Tennessee State University Homecoming Parade. She served as a beloved home economics teacher within the Nashville community, notably impacting students at Cameron and East High Schools. She also served as coordinator of Home Economics and interim director of Vocational, Adult, and Community Education, Sisterhood, Faith, and Community Service.

Ola’s heart for service extended far beyond the classroom, particularly through membership in her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter at Tennessee State University in 1949. She went on to have a profound legacy in the sorority as a pillar in Nashville, including serving as the 16th president of the Alpha Delta Omega Chapter. For decades, she exemplified the sorority's mission of "service to all mankind."

In 2001, her dedication was celebrated by her peers when she was named her chapter’s Golden Soror of the Year as well as the Golden Soror of the Year for the South Eastern Region of AKA.

She was named Soror of the Day at the 2015 South Eastern Regional Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. A bench sits in her honor at the Alpha Delta Omega sorority house.

Her life was deeply rooted in her faith and fellowship. She poured her time and love into her church community, serving with devotion alongside the Vareda Williams Missionary Circle and standing as a beacon of grace, comfort, and leadership to her fellow members at Spruce Street.

A Beautiful Remembrance

Deacon Emeritus, Ola Hudson lived a godly life and remained dedicated to serving the Lord up until her death; a life of immense purpose, dignity, and distinction. She was a devoted aunt, a cherished friend, a legendary educator, and a proud sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Her laughter, wisdom, and the elegant standards she set will be forever remembered by her family, her friends, her former students, her sorority sisters, her church and the city of Nashville.

Ola leaves to cherish her memory and her incredible legacy her care-giver and devoted and loving niece and nephew, Crystle (Reggie) Bond and Jason Jones, many other nieces, nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews and great-great grand nieces and nephews, goddaughter Reverend Dr. Michelle Shaw, extended family, church members, students and friends.