Mr. Alan Lawrence Hudson

Ask him how he was doing, and he would reply “Living the dream” or “If I was any better, I couldn’t stand it.” He lived his dream every day, counted his blessings, and loved large, but after a short illness, our family’s patriarch, Alan Lawrence Hudson passed away on July 13, 2023, at the young age of 62.

Alan was born in Beckley, WV, to parents Lawrence (Larry) and Janice Hudson (Barnesville, GA), and raised in Albany, GA. Upon graduating from Westover High School in 1979, he further pursued his education at the University of Georgia graduating in 1984 with a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Though he left Athens upon graduation in pursuit of his career, he remained a rabid Bulldog fan and supporter for the remainder of his life.

After honing his skills with several companies, he founded his own business Southern Nursery Products in Barnesville, GA in 1988. And it was here, in his adopted home, that he met his soulmate Sandra Harris Hudson, then Barnesville postmaster. They married in 1998, and with her and their hard-working and loyal work family, they continued to expand their business and tree and shrub farm. Today, after 35 years of hard work and sweat, their beautifully manicured farm encompasses around 200 acres and provides ornamental trees and shrubs to clients across the nation.

While Alan was proud of the business and farm he and Sandra created, nothing surpassed the love and admiration he held for his daughters Erin Hudson Looper (Easley, SC) and Shannon Hudson (Woodstock, GA). He is also survived by his mother and father (Barnesville, GA), his son-in-law Jameson Looper, grandson Weston Looper (both of Easley, SC), and sister Karen Hudson (Lexington, KY).

How do you say “Goodbye” to someone who touched so many? You don’t. You say prayers to reach him and tell stories about him, to keep his memory alive until we meet again.

Alan will be laid to rest on Sunday, July 16, at 5:00 PM, on his beloved farm with his family by his side. To honor his legacy, in the coming weeks, we plan to have a celebration of life- “Hudson Style” for his many friends where we will sow wildflower seeds along the bank of his fishing pond in his memory.

Flowers can be sent in Alan’s honor to Fletcher-Day Funeral Home, 628 N Church St, Thomaston, GA 30286. Or in lieu of flowers donate in Alan’s honor to the Georgia Green Industry Association Scholarship Program, (706) 443-1440, or email chelsea@ggia.org.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.