Leigh Sessoms Hudson

Leigh Sessoms Hudson, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday morning, February 24, 2025.

Leigh was born June 10, 1953, to Samuel Howard Hudson, Jr. and Anna Sessoms Hudson in Raleigh, NC. After graduating from Garner High School in 1971, he enjoyed a life-long career helping his parents run and grow the family business, Hudson's Hardware, that became a staple in the Garner and Clayton communities. He was a lifelong Rotarian, serving in multiple leadership roles, including serving as District Governor in 2013. Leigh was also very active in the Clayton community, for which Clayton named November 19 as "Leigh Hudson Day" in his honor. In 2025, Leigh was awarded by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor a citizen of North Carolina can receive, presented to honor persons who have a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina, and to others as a gesture of friendship and goodwill.

He is survived by his wife, Karen "Happy" Nelson Hudson; son, Tony Gulley (Kim); brother, Howard Hudson (Wanda); three grandsons, Jeffrey Gulley (Courtney), Austin Gulley (Hope), and Stone Gulley (Claire), and five great-grandchildren, Ella Wray, Nellie, Wood, River, and Daphne; niece, Kristy Foushee (Matt) and nephew, Sammy Hudson (Desta).

Once Leigh and Karen were married, they blended their families, which added two additional children, Lewis Sutton, IV and Jennifer Booth (David); four grandchildren, Lewis Sutton V (Rebekah), Taylor Stewart (Gareth), Nelson Sutton (Chloe), and Maggie Booth; and six great-grandchildren Caroline, Olivia, Avery, Penny, Riley and Crew.

In addition to his parents, Leigh was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Helen "Pug" Hudson.

A funeral service will be held Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:00am at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 3000 E Garner Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610. The family will receive friends Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.

In lieu of flowers, please simply donate to Leigh's favorite charity at The Refuge of Ayden, NC @ www.ncrefuge.org

Condolences to the family may be made at bryan-leefuneralhome.com