Rae Ernestine Hudson Watkins

A SEASON OF FAMILY 

Rae Ernestine Hudson was born on September 5, 1926 in Selma Alabama. She was the second daughter and the firstborn child of Benjamin Franklin Hudson and Rachel Tarrant Hudson. At six weeks of age she moved to Nashville, TN, due to her father acquiring a job with the National Baptist Sunday School Publishing Board. The relocation of the family included her older siblings, Frank Jr., Mary and Robert (Bobby). Later, Rae welcomed brothers William (Bill), Andrew and Charles as well as, sisters Mabel and Ola. 

A SEASON OF EDUCATION 

Rae received her primary education at three different elementary schools in Nashville. She later attended Cameron Junior High School and finished her secondary education at Pearl High School. During her senior year at A&I State College, Rae and her friend, Birdie Clark, were sent to Palmer Turner School in Henning, TN, to begin their teaching journey. Rae frequently regaled her family with tales of her student teaching experience and was particularly proud that the school where she began her career was named after a member of Alex Haley’s (the author of Roots) family. Rae graduated from A&I State College (later to become Tennessee State University) in 1949. Rae was also a career and lifelong member of the teaching sorority Phi Delta Kappa for over 66 years. 

A SEASON OF TEACHING 

After three years of teaching in Henning, TN, Rae moved back to Nashville and dedicated herself to thirty-one years of teaching at Napier Elementary School. Her students learned so much from her and taught her so much. She called a few of her students “the special ones”. These students made sure she felt like the best teacher ever! Rae mentioned that some of her students became her “family”. Her students were instrumental in ensuring her transition from her home to an assisted living apartment went smoothly. A large number of her former students called, visited and showered her with gifts during this transitional time.

 A SEASON OF LOVE 

Rae met and fell in love with Thomas William Watkins. They married on June 20, 1959. Her wedding was the second wedding ever held in the brand-new Spruce Street Baptist Church sanctuary. The wedding reception for Rae and Tommy included 300 guests. The reception was a wedding gift from Sis. Bessie Walton. Sis. Walton loved Rae so much that she planned, coordinated, and paid for everything. Rae was married to Thomas (Tommy) for 42 years until his death in 2003. 

A SEASON OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 

While still teaching, Rae became a writer of Vacation Bible School materials and Sunday School Quarterlies for the National Baptist Sunday School Publishing Board. After her retirement from teaching in 1985, Rae began a new “career” as a full-time writer of Youth Publications. She was promoted to Editor of Youth Publications and later to Editor of Children’s Publications and Coordinator of VBS Materials. She also represented the Publishing Board on two national committees. Those were The Committee on the Uniform Series of The National Council of Churches and The Protestant Religious Education Advisory Committee which examines and selects materials used in the chapel systems of the Armed Forces. 

A LIFETIME OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE

 Rae expressed her desire to become a Christian while attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Kane Avenue Baptist Church. Rae and her siblings began attending Spruce Street Baptist Church when Mrs. Lula P. Royster began to transport her and her brothers and sisters. Rae and her siblings were baptized at Spruce Street Baptist Church in 1941. Since that time Rae has been an active member in numerous auxiliaries as well as: Sunday School teacher, Teen Choir Director, Founder & Advisor to Vareda Williams Missionary Circle and a choir member for 74 years. In 2010 Rae was honored as Spruce Street’s Mother of the Year. Rae, as the consummate public-school teacher, was also the consummate teacher of Christianity. She walked the “walk”. She talked the “talk” and led not just by her extensive skills, but by her godly and loving example. 

A SEASON OF REST 

Rae Ernestine Hudson Watkins was called to glory on Thursday, June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth). She lived a godly life and remained dedicated to serving the Lord. Rae was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Franklin & Rachel Hudson, brothers, Benjamin, Robert, William, and Charles, sisters Mary and Mabel, and husband Thomas. Left to cherish her memory are brother Andrew and sister Ola, dedicated & loving nephew and care-giver, Jason Jones, cherished Godson Michael Shaw, bonus daughter Shirley Jones and bonus granddaughter, Wendalyn Angel Jones and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews and great-great grand nieces and nephews, extended family, church members, students and friends.