Our sweet mom, Karen Elaine Carter Hudgeons, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at the age of 79. Born in Gainesville, Texas, on December 2nd, 1946, to Leo Clifton Carter and Evelyn Ione Kemplin Carter, she was raised in Sadler, Texas and graduated from S&S High School in 1965.

Karen had a gift for making people feel beautiful, inside and out. She started her cosmetology career in the summer of 1963 in Gordonville, Texas. Her hairdresser talents were enjoyed in Whitesboro, Amarillo and Fort Worth, Texas.

She moved to Fort Worth in 1976 where she served the women at Vernon’s Beauty Salon until its closure. Her faithful clients followed her to Salvador’s Salon, then she retired from Jeremy’s Salon in the summer of 2022.

Karen married Leon Hudgeons on July 23, 1981. Their love story started at the DFW airport and had a fairytale ending. Together they built a beautiful life and raised their four children in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Karen was also an amazing gardener – her yard was always an explosion of color, and she loved sharing her bountiful flowers with everyone. She even completed her master gardener classes in the summer of 2000!

Beyond her professional talents, Karen and Leon were faithful and active members of Christ Chapel Bible Church, where they both contributed to the music program. Karen even used her hairstyling skills there, creating beautiful wigs for the actors and actresses in the church musicals. She had such a generous spirit and a compassionate ear for everyone she met, especially her customers.

Family was everything to Karen. She absolutely adored her seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is survived by her beloved husband, Leon Hudgeons; her children, Robin Hudgeons Hord (and Eddie), Shelly Gardner Smith (and Jerry), Sharla Gardner Connally, and Michael Hudgeons. Her grandchildren include Bailey Hord Tennison (and Bobby), Alexander Smith, Allison Smith Sperry (and Monty), Taren Gravitt Hudson, Tony Gravitt, Keaton Hudgeons, and Calla Hudgeons. Her great-grandchildren, Tyson Hudson, Marley and Emily Gravitt, and Audrey and Asa Sperry, brought her so much joy. She’s preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, brother, stepsister, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Karen will be deeply missed by all of us, but her spirit and kindness will live on in our hearts forever.

Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time. 

A family visitation will take place Monday, January 19, 2026 at Greenwood Funeral Home in Fort Worth (time to be announced). A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Tabor in Whitesboro.