Erma Irene Jackson Faulkner Hudson, 94, of Ruston, Louisiana, entered her eternal rest surrounded by the love of her family and the abiding peace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on October 3, 1931, in Arkansas to T.E. and Ruth Jackson, Erma lived a life marked by faith, service, resilience, and unwavering love for others.
Erma grew up in Arkansas alongside her sister, Helen, with whom she shared a lifelong bond. She married Harold Faulkner in 1948, and together they built a beautiful family with their three children—Gary, Mark, and Lori. Their marriage of 38 years was filled with joy until Harold’s passing in 1986 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Following Harold’s death, Erma found renewed purpose in one of her greatest passions—cooking. She fulfilled a longtime dream by opening Erma’s Restaurant, where her warmth, hospitality, and exceptional food created a cherished gathering place for many in the community.
In 1989, God brought a new chapter of companionship and joy into her life when she married Dick Hudson. Having each endured the loss of a spouse, Erma and Dick embraced their years together with gratitude, youthful energy, and a shared love of travel. They built a life rich in adventure, faith, and friendship.
A devoted servant of Christ, Erma lived out her faith daily through acts of kindness and generosity. She was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, which she first joined in 1957. After spending several years at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dick, she returned to Temple and immediately resumed serving in the ways she loved—singing in the choir, preparing meals for church events, teaching Sunday School, and participating in MRT.
Throughout her life, Erma faced both joy and hardship with extraordinary strength. Even in her most difficult seasons, she remained steadfast in her belief that God had called her to care for others. Her family remembers countless moments when, despite her own challenges, she continued to serve, encourage, and uplift those around her.
Erma’s legacy is one of devotion—devotion to her faith, her family, her community, and the countless individuals blessed by her kindness. She lived by the scripture, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…”, and her life is a testament to those good works carried out with grace, humility, and love.
Erma was preceded in death by husbands Harold Faulkner and Dick Hudson; her parents T.E. and Ruth Jackson, her sister Helen McDuffee, brother-in-law Luke, and stepson Greg Hudson.
Erma is survived by her children: Gary DeVance Faulkner (Staci), Mark Edward Faulkner (Janet) and Lori Faulkner Wyatt (Chris).
Stepchildren: Della Hudson Futrell Beard (Kerry) and Marta Hudson Campbell (Alan).
Grandchildren: William Faulkner (Alexandria), Thomas Faulkner, Alexandra Faulkner, Jackson Faulkner (Grace), Tiffany Faulkner Jost (Ramon), Anna Claire Wyatt and Holly Wyatt Hilburn (Harrison)
Step Grandchildren: Tom Futrell (Leslea), Dan Futrell, Christy Beard Stewart (Ray), Julie Beard (Erika), Sean Campbell, Jared Campbell (Laura), Philip Campbell (Malinda), Zack Hudson (Sharon) and Mathew Hudson (Crystal).
The family would like to thank the loving staff at The Arbor in Ruston, Amy Vance with Premier Hospice and her daughter in love, Stacey Jimmerson.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00-3:00PM in the foyer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lincoln Parish Museum and Temple Baptist Church.
