Mary Ethel Hart Hudson, 96, died April 6, 2022, in Tyler.

She was born May 14, 1925, in Mineola, Texas, the only child of Charles B. Hart and Katie Mae Flewellen Hart.  She was affectionately known as "Skeet" from childhood, because her small size reminded friends and family of a mosquito.  She was a direct descendant of early settlers of the Republic of Texas. She moved with her family to Tyler after her father became employed with the Missouri Pacific Railroad. She attended and graduated from Gary Elementary, Hogg Junior High School, and Tyler High School Class of 1942.  During World War II she worked in Tyler including a time at Camp Fannin. She married her high school sweetheart, Ensign Dick Hudson of the U.S. Navy, on July 14, 1945, at First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. Mary and Dick celebrated 68 years of marriage.

Throughout her life she worked as a volunteer for the American Red Cross.  She had also been a Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church, and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts of America. A graduate of Tyler Junior College, she also received bachelor's and master's degrees from Stephen F. Austin State College. In 1960, Mrs. Hudson began a 29-year career as a public school educator for the children of Tyler Independent School District. For more than 60 years Mary taught thousands of children and adults as a volunteer of the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program and continued to teach adult swimming lessons at the Tyler YMCA and Tyler Junior College. As part of her instructional method, she always emphasized water safety to protect the lives of her students.

She is survived by two sons, David Hudson and wife Suzie Bass of Tyler, Ted Hudson and Tootie of Black Mountain, N.C.; grandchildren Davi McDonald and husband Brian, of McLean, Virginia, Joey Hudson of Marshall, Chris Hudson, Michael Hudson, Matt Hudson and wife Morgan, Kelly Staton, Karen Hudson and husband Josh, all of whom are residents of Hendersonville, North Carolina; and great-grandchildren Sophie Hudson, Emma McDonald, Owen Hudson, Maggie McDonald, Hart Hudson, Maeve McDonald, Austin Hudson, Jakob Hudson, Anthony Hudson, Conner Staton, Colton Staton, Milo Hudson, and Macon Hudson.

Although an only child, she had many cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. Among others she is survived by first cousins including Frank Flewellen, of Baytown, Texas; Charles Hall, of Tyler; LaVega Parker, of Bullard; and Woody Rice, of Tyler.

She was a devout Christian and included daily prayer and Bible study in her walk with the Lord.  Along with her husband, she lived a modest and unassuming life, and was always interested in helping others.  They were both remarkable and, in an unusually humble way, legendary. They will be missed.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022, led by Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin, followed by a reception at the church. A private burial will follow at a later date at the Flewellen-Thweatt Cemetery in Smith County.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the American Red Cross, 320 E. Rieck Road, Tyler, Texas 75703, First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701, or a charity of choice.