Cathy Daniels Hudgins

Cathy Jane Daniels Hudgins of Decatur, Georgia, born July 11, 1952 in Newport News, Virginia ascended into heaven on May 23rd, 2013. She died from a heart attack following a scuba dive in Cancun, Mexico. In her passing, this precious soul, referred to by a select few on earth as a "walking angel," was transformed into an actual angel. In 1962 at the age of 10, Cathy's parents, Jay Daniels and Mary Jane Baker Daniels moved their family to Decatur to manage Venetian Apartments on Coventry Road for Mary Jane's father, Walt Baker, who owned and developed Venetian Apartments and Pools. Cathy's family lived in the first apartment building constructed within the complex. She spent her childhood and teenage summers swimming, lifeguarding, teaching swimming lessons, and eventually managing the pool. She loved watching Venetian take shape over the years, took great pride in her "Venetian roots," and enjoyed sharing the pool's history with newcomers. Cathy attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church elementary school and Decatur High School where she graduated in the Class of 1971. After several years at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Cathy left to begin work representing Lamar Hair Products, Paul Mitchell, and to complete her training to become a licensed cosmetologist. In 1980 at the age of 28, she opened Cathy's Hairworks, a salon in Emory Village where it thrived for 9 years until it outgrew its space requiring her to relocate to a new, larger location on Clairmont Road. She "trimmed the locks," listened to stories, and became friends with hundreds of Decatur and Druid Hills residents over the next 11 years, including those who, over time, qualified for her $10 "Balding Beauty Special." She "retired" in 2000. Of all her clients, by far her favorite and the one that had the biggest impact on her life was her husband, lifelong Decatur resident, Jim Hudgins. Cathy and Jim met during a hair appointment in 1991 and became close friends. In time, they fell in love and became constant companions. They married on February 24, 1996. They shared a passion for scuba diving and made regular trips to the Caribbean and occasionally Florida. They loved enjoying nature together, working in their yard, and particularly reaping the harvest of their yearly vegetable garden. They could always be found during the summer months at Venetian Pools in their regular chairs. More recently, they'd fallen in love with playing cards and enjoyed many an evening playing gin rummy. During their 17 years of marriage, Cathy and Jim lived on Greenwood Circle in Decatur on what Jim calls the "best street in America" due to the many close friendships they formed and enjoyed over the years. After "retirement," Cathy continued to cut hair for an ever growing number of clients and friends. She greatly enjoyed making house calls for older adults and people with illnesses and regularly cut hair for guests and caregivers at Emory University Hospital, Wesley Woods and Christian Towers. She also became a regular volunteer at the Hope Lodge in Decatur, the American Cancer Society's residential facility for people undergoing cancer treatments far from home. She cherished her time there styling hair and trying to bring dignity to the many patients undergoing the process of losing their hair. She also enjoyed working the front desk and entertaining guests and caregivers at the bi-weekly BINGO game. She and Jim kept fit by participating in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life. Cathy was a natural organizer and took the lead coordinating her high school reunions and annual neighborhood block parties. Her gregarious, hospitable spirit had a way of bringing people together. To quote Jim, "She never met a stranger and if she did, they weren't strangers long." She was quick to offer anyone in her path a cheery, upbeat greeting. She had a way of "putting a smile on people's faces" and she brought joy to all she met and served. Cathy had a special appreciation for people in her life who demonstrated the best in humankind. She called them "walking angels." Jim saw the best in Cathy and spoke of her as his "walking angel." While Cathy's passing came much too soon, she died doing what she loved most with the person she loved most. Cathy is survived by her husband, Jim; and her siblings and their families: Mike Daniels of Bigfork, Montana and his wife, Reni; Chris Daniels of Cumming, Georgia and his wife, Lucy; Vicki Shelfer of Casselberry, Florida; and a host of loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Family members will receive visitors at A. S. Turner & Sons on Friday, May 31, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (2773 North Decatur Road). The Committal Service will take place in Decatur Cemetery on Saturday, June 1, at noon. A Memorial Service will follow at Decatur Presbyterian Church at 1:00 PM. Later that afternoon, a Celebration of Life in Cathy's memory will take place at 219 Greenwood Circle in Decatur, beginning at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to ACS Atlanta Hope Lodge, 1552 Shoup Ct., Decatur, Georgia 30030. Please reference donations: in memory of Cathy Hudgins.



Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033