Victoria “Vickie” Godbee Hudson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, at Southern Manor, where she had been a resident for the past seven years. She was 105 years old.
Vickie was born on August 2, 1921, on the family farm in Girard, Georgia. From an early age, she was taught the value of hard work, independence and perseverance – qualities that remained with her throughout her remarkable 105 years.
She graduated from Girard High School in 1938 and moved to Savannah in 1941 to live with her married sister. During WWII, Vickie worked in the ship building division of Savannah Machine & Foundry Company, doing her part during a pivotal time in our nation’s history.
Determined to continue her education, she attended Draughton’s Business College and completed her studies in 1951. Following graduation, she accepted a position with Pete Hudson Motors in Savannah. There she met Joseph E. “Pete” Hudson, whom she later married.
Together they built a life and worked side by side in the automobile business until Pete’s retirement in 1979.
Vickie was never one to sit idle. After Pete’s retirement, she began another chapter of her working life at Memorial Hospital, where she worked in the Accounting Department for 27 years. She retired at the age of 85 – a testament to the extraordinary work ethic that had defined her life.
Her commitment to her community was equally remarkable. Vickie was a long-time member of Wesley Oak Methodist Church in Thunderbolt, where she faithfully served as church treasurer for 50 years, faithfully giving of her time and talents. She also served as president of the Azalea Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and was honored as its Woman of the Year in 1970. She was instrumental in forming the SIADA Ladies Auxillary and served as its first president.
But beyond her many accomplishments, VIckie will be remembered most for the joy she brought to people around her. She loved being outdoors and working in her gardens where she grew beautiful camellias and roses. She was a devoted animal lover and never seemed to meet a stray cat she couldn’t feed.
Vickie was a true Southern Belle, always beautifully put together and dressed to the nines. She took pride in her appearance, never going out without her hair perfectly done and her nails beautifully manicured.
Vickie had a wonderful sense of humor and was a practical joker who loved making people laugh with her antics and jokes. She took oil painting classes, enjoyed ballroom dancing competitions, and brought creativity and fun into so many aspects of her life.
And then there was her banana pudding – famous among family and friends and sure to be remembered as one of the sweetest parts of her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alma Buxton Godbee and Leslie L. Godbee; her husband, J.E. Hudson; her brothers, Wade Godbee and Jutson Godbee; her sisters, Vivian Hillis and Bernice Fleming; her son-in-law, Steven Fries,Sr and grandson-in-law, Cory Bell.
She is survived by her daughter, Kitty Fries Lane (Bob), and her son, Grover E. Hudson (Paula); her grandchildren, Christopher Fries, Katie Bell (Geoffrey), Jessica Hudson (Timmy), Jordan Hudson, and step-grandson, Cody Miro (Jessica); her great-grandchildren, Lexi Bell,
Andrew (Darby) Bell, Alex Bell, Alexis Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Kye Thompson, and Jessie Lanier Fries; and special nieces, Sandra Hillis and Phyllis Crim.
After 105 years, Vickie leaves behind much more than memories. She leaves behind a family shaped by her example, a legacy of hard work and service, a garden of memories that will continue to bloom and countless stories that will be told- and retold- with laughter.
Her family will miss her dearly, but will forever be grateful for the 105 years they were blessed to call her Mom or Mema.
Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Ralph Cowart and everyone at Southern Manor that took such excellent care of her over the last seven years.
Visitation will be held Monday, October 5, 2026, from 10-11 a.m. at Joiner Anderson Funeral in Statesboro followed by a service at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor Lynn Drake and Reverend Billy Hester.
Interment will follow at 4 p.m. in Grace Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 4519 Sardis Church Rd, Macon, Georgia.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Armstrong, Christopher Fries, Jordan Hudson, Tim Hudson, Chet Jernigan and Cody Miro.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com .
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, October 3, 2026
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.