Ruby Rexene Carter Hudgens, age 100, of Gainesville, died peacefully on July 30th at the E.T. York Haven Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, Florida.Funeral service will be held at the Pavilion of the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Friday, August 9th at 10:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery at the grave of her husband, Robert W. Hudgens. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Forest Meadows of Gainesville.Rexene was born in Stigler, Oklahoma to Rex Carter and Anna Lou Barnard Carter on July 24th, 1924. Her father died tragically when she was two years old, and she moved with her mother to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she eventually attended Little Rock High School. She met the love of her life, Robert Wayne Hudgens, when they were both teenagers. After they married, she devoted herself to her growing family, taking care of her Robert and their three sons. She supported her husband on his journey to becoming a professional comptroller, while raising her boys to meet her high standards in character and integrity. The home she made was a welcoming and wholesome place, and Rexene was second mom to many of her sons friends. She loved the hubbub of young people enjoying themselves, and everyone in the neighborhood knew where to come for a safe place and a kind word - and a good snack. While dedicating herself to her family and their circle of friends, Rexene also served her community and church, always ready to help where help was needed. She was active in the PTA, and she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, which naturally led to carpooling teenagers. She did home visits to shut-ins, and helped with church outreach activities. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing, needle craft, and the occasional game of poker. She earned the nickname Diamond Lil for the latter, where she excelled at the card game of Baseball. In 1997, three years after her beloved Robert died, Rexene moved to Gainesville, Florida, in order to be closer to her grandchildren.Rexene is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert W. Hudgens, and by her beloved daughter-in-law, Dorothy "Dot" Hudgens.Rexene is survived by her sons Robert W. Hudgens, of Sun City, Arizona, Richard C. Hudgens (Susan) of Gainesville, and Russell W. Hudgens of Louisville, Kentucky; three grandchildren: Erin Hudgens, Jana Powell-Sanders (Mike), and Richard Hudgens, Jr, and one great grandchild, Alex. Ceremony Friday, August 9, 2024 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Florida National Cemetery 6502 SW 102nd Ave Bushnell FL 33513-8914 US (352) 793-7740 Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528