Dewayne Hudson

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Allen Dewayne Hudson, 67, of Pineville, Missouri, known affectionately to all as Dewayne, took his final curtain call on January 24, 2024, after a courageous battle against cancer. 

Born on May 20, 1956, in Bentonville, Arkansas, Dewayne's life was a masterclass in humor, love, and resilience. He exited the stage at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Dewayne was the kind of guy who could find the funny in any situation. He was one of five children born to the late Leo Benjamin and Wilma Bernice (Blevins) Hudson. Dewayne's love story began when he married his sweetheart, Connie (Johnson) Hudson, on May 29, 1976. Together, they created a life filled with joy, raising two daughters, Stephanie Melder (and her husband, Joe) and Kimberly Hudson, both of Pineville. His six grandchildren, Kevin, Summer, Josie, Kurt, Breanna and Logan along with two great-grandchildren, Juniper and Willow, were the apples of his eye and the occasional victims of his pranks. He was reunited in Heaven with his parents; and two siblings, Olen Hudson and Sharlene Bone.

A lifelong resident of Pineville, Missouri, Dewayne was as handy as they come. He worked as a heavy equipment operator, mastering the art of moving mountains both literally and figuratively. His sisters, Shirley Cope Milleson and Geraldine Hudson, both of Pineville, can attest to his knack for fixing just about anything, except maybe a bad haircut – but he'd sure make you laugh about it.

Dewayne's interests were as wide-ranging as his sense of humor. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, often regaling his friends with tales that may have stretched the truth just a tad for comedic effect. His love for animals was no joke. A man of faith, Dewayne attended Whittenburg Church.

Words that best describe Dewayne? Funny, friendly, and handy. He was the guy who'd offer you a smile while helping you change a tire in the rain. His pranks were legendary, and his storytelling was an art form. He had a knack for making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room, especially if they were in on the joke.

His laughter was infectious, his friendship was a gift, and his ability to find joy in the everyday was his superpower. He leaves behind a world a little less bright but infinitely more humorous. We say goodbye to a man who was much more than a heavy equipment operator, a prankster, and a storyteller. Dewayne Hudson was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. His encore will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, but his jokes, his warmth, and his spirit will live on in the stories we share and the smiles we pass on in his honor.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2024 in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes with Pastor Jamey Cope officiating. Burial will follow at Jane Cemetery with Kurt Channess, Logan Channess, Kyle Creason, Cory Creason, Colton Johnson and Cody Cope honoring him as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5-7:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. On-line condolences may be shard with his family through www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.