Obituary

Lola Ann (Eads) Hudson, 81, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away on January 7, 2026, surrounded by her family, following a surgical complication. She was born on May 6, 1944, to Charles Raymond Eads and Ollie Marie (Legg) Eads of Sissonville, West Virginia.

Lola was raised on Bonham’s Dairy, where her father worked as foreman. In her younger years, she helped with family chores, bathed in metal tubs, and the family used an outhouse—humble beginnings that helped shape her strong work ethic and resilience.

Lola excelled in business courses at Stonewall Jackson High School, graduating in 1962. She married in 1963 and became a mother in 1964 and 1968. In the 1960s, Lola and her family spent much of their time at the racetrack. She learned a great deal about cars—how to work on them and, most notably, how to race them.

Throughout the 1970s, Lola worked tirelessly alongside her husband to build Hudson Sign Company into a respected and successful local business. She managed all aspects of the company while her husband focused on sales. At its height, the company owned many of the billboards throughout the Kanawha Valley and became a well-known part of the community. Lola and her family were also active members of Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene, where she had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir.

During this prosperous time, Lola also gave birth to her daughter, remodeled a home, and welcomed her sister’s three children into her household. She raised them as her own and provided for them just as she did her biological children. As a blended Hudson family of three boys and three girls, they enjoyed countless family trips to the races, Kings Island, Myrtle Beach, and Florida.

While the 1970s were filled with happiness, they were also marked by great loss. During this time, Lola lost her sister, Nora Ava-Lee Eads Mahood; her mother, Ollie Marie Legg Eads; and her father, Charles Raymond Eads.

In the mid-1980s to 2000, after a brief absence from the workforce while raising her daughter, April, and sons, Mike and Carl, on her own, Lola returned to work part-time managing the kitchen at the Charleston Tennis Club, then managing an office for Dr. Auditor in South Charleston, and ultimately finding her calling in managing a senior citizens’ retirement home. She took great pride in caring for the residents, arranging socials, coordinating visits from a podiatrist and barber, and making sure everyone felt valued and cared for. Sadly, it was during this period she lost her brother, Lawrence Eads and nephew Charles Raymond Eads. Charles was survived by his wife Connie and sons, Russell, James, and their families.

In the early 2000s, Lola contracted Legionnaires’ disease and nearly died—but her heart would not quit on her children. After a six-week stay in the MICU, she began the long road to recovery and had to learn to walk again at age 60. She eventually regained her independence, living alone, driving, and enjoying many adventures with her family, especially her daughter April. She had even traveled to Florida recently in October to visit family and celebrate baby Callen’s birthday. She spoke to her family every single day. She is infamous for reminding her family, “it’s clean sheet day,” “it’s trash night,” and “you’ve got to be an innovator.”

Lola lived a full life filled with the love of family. She is, and will always be, loved, remembered, and cherished every day. As E. E. Cummings wrote, “I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart).” She lives on in her family and in every life she touched.

Lola is survived by the loves of her life, her children: Jenny Marie Mahood Pitchford (David) of Charleston; Timothy Glenn Hudson (Jenny O’Dell) of Charleston; Stephanie Ann Mahood Taylor of Charleston; Carl Anthony Mahood of Martinsburg; Michael Lee Hudson (Alison Simmons) of Tampa, Florida; and April Marie Hudson Keatley (David) of Charleston, West Virginia.

She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Joshua Scott Hudson (deceased), Jessica Paige Hudson Cottrill (Logan), Ashley Morgan Mahood Long (Tyler), Allison Marie Pitchford Lillard (Blake), Jerod Michael Hudson (Farah), Hunter Anthony Mahood, Logan Alexander Mahood, and Hudson James Keatley, her beloved “baby.” Her great-grandchildren include Owen Andrew Long, Rylynn Paige Cottrill, Ezekiel Tyler Long, Elyse Marie Lillard, Hayden Alan Cottrill, Callen Scott Hudson, and Ellis Ernest Lillard.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene.

Family and friends may call beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kanawha Valley Senior Services.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.