Janet Sue Hudson (Jan) passed away on 26 June 2023, at 8:03 am. She was born 23 July 1941 in Amarillo, Texas to Lester Willis Hudson and Margaret Jeanette Walker Hudson. She was one of 5 finalists for AHS Queen when she graduated from Amarillo High School in 1959. She met her future husband, Henry Ronald (Ron) Samuels at Amarillo Junior College when they were cheerleaders. They were married 30 June 1962 at Polk Street Methodist Church in Amarillo. Their two children, Todd Ronald and April Denise, were born and baptized in Amarillo.
They moved to Plano, Texas in 1970 where she was a charter member and Past President of the Collin County Genealogical Society. In Richardson Jan was the Regent of the James Billingsley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution She was the Organizing Regent of the Mary Shirley McGuire Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Plano and was a charter member of the Collin McKinney Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Shiloh Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy all in Plano. She was a member of the DAR for over 50 years. In recent years, she became a member of the Susanna Biggers Bibb Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, James Cavet Chapter, National Society US Daughters of 1812 and Edward Maxey, Sr. Chapter, Colonial Dames of 17th Century and the National Society, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Texas Branch.
They joined the First United Methodist Church of Plano in 1970 where she served as Church Historian for over 30 years. She was the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Administrative Board at First United Methodist Church. She served as the church Lay Leader, Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, lay member to the North Texas Annual Conference for many years and was President of the United Methodist Women. She, also, was the Chairman of the Archives and History Committee of the North Texas Conference of the Methodist Church, as well as a contributing editor to the history book of the North Texas Conference, Blest Be The Tie That Binds.
She was Chairman of the Board of the Plano Co-operative Preschool, the first preschool in Plano, and was President of the PTA or PTO at three Plano schools (Carpenter Middle School, Clark High School and Panthers, Inc. at Plano East Senior High School). She served as President of the Board of the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano and was a member for over 30 years. She, also, was a member of the Plano Centennial Celebration Committee in 1977.
For several years she was the commentator and commentary author of Bobby Dene's Vintage Clothing fashion show at the Victorian Elegance Antique Show held in Richardson, Texas. As a member of Texana Living History Association she portrayed Susannah Dickenson, Alamo survivor; Sam Houston's wife, Margaret Lea; and Charles Goodnight's wife, Molly, all over the state. She received the Yellow Rose of Texas Award which recognizes, through the office of the Governor, Texas women who have made significant contributions in the preservation of Texas history. For many years she performed first person, costumed book reviews in the Dallas area.
For over 21 years they lived at the Active Adult Community at Heritage Ranch in Fairview. She was the Heritage Ranch Historian for 15 years, a charter member of the Chorale and organized the Heritage Ranch Genealogical Society. She was Chairman of the Communications Committee and Chairman of the Marketing/Communications Committee when both Committees were merged into one. She was organizing Chair of the Ladies Golf Association. She served for four years as a Director on the Heritage Ranch Homeowner's Association. Her hobbies were reading, writing, genealogy, golf, fishing and, for many years, playing tennis.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years as well as children Todd Samuels (Tanya) and April Samuels (Mary). Grandchildren are Hudson, Grant and Tatum Samuels
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano 75074 or The Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano at www.heritagefarmsteadmuseaum.org or Breast Cancer Can Stick It at www.breastcancercanstickit.org
A memorial service for Jan will be held at First United Methodist Church Plano on July 8th at 2pm. A family-only graveside service will also be held at an earlier date.