11/15/2025
Wilda Henderson Dodson
Wilda Henderson Dodson
Of Gallatin, TN
April 30, 1952 - November 14, 2025
Wilda Henderson Dodson, age 73, passed away peacefully of natural causes in her home, surrounded by loved ones, on Friday, November 14, 2025.
She is survived by her husband, William C. “Bill” Hudgins; her niece, Penn Dodson (Christopher), and their children. She was predeceased by her parents, Billie C. Henderson Dodson and Clay F. Dodson, and her brother, C. Frank Dodson.
Wilda was known for many things, but perhaps primarily her strength and her sense of humor. Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988, she faced frustrations associated with having to deal with a body that wasn’t cooperative and the challenges of diminished physical capacity that worsened year by year. Nevertheless, sometimes described as a “lioness,” she consistently held an attitude of stubborn determination and playing the hand she’d been dealt, usually accompanied by a joke or dose of quick wit. She often referred to MS as a “damn nuisance,” and delighted in overcoming the difficulties it presented.
A lifelong Tennessean, Wilda was born at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. She grew up in a combination of Springfield and Gallatin and graduated from Gallatin High School in 1970. After high school she attended and graduated from Southwestern College (now Rhodes College) in Memphis, TN. After college Wilda attended law school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which had only recently begun admitting women.
After receiving her JD in 1977, Wilda worked as in-house counsel for Park Bank in Knoxville for a couple of years, then practiced law at a general practice small law firm in Cleveland, TN. She subsequently became an assistant district attorney in Bradley County, prosecuting child support nonpayment cases.
In 1984 she transitioned out of the practice of law and became a financial advisor for the Edward Jones company, which she continued to do until she retired in 2016. In 1984 she renovated the old Commerce Union Bank at 115 East Main St. on the town square in Gallatin, converting it into the office space where she worked until she retired.
In this role she worked alongside a number of wonderful office administrators who assisted her work. Focused primarily in helping her hundreds of clients reach their financial goals, Wilda’s role was primarily about the relationships, first and foremost, and it showed. Nothing was more important to her than earning their trust and friendship. She enjoyed enormous satisfaction when clients said her advice enabled them to achieve goals such as educating their children or retiring comfortably.
On Dec. 29, 1979, Wilda married Bill Hudgins in the First Presbyterian Church in Gallatin. He was her best friend, confidant, and co-conspirator in as much mischief and adventure as they could get away with. Together they traveled to many interesting foreign and domestic destinations including Russia, Alaska, Greece, the Caribbean, Scotland, and Austria. Wilda and Bill maintained close friendships with a number of people in the greater Gallatin area and afar. Over the years they had an array of household pets and beginning in 2007 they began to host horses and donkeys rescued from situations of abuse and/or neglect for the Volunteer Equine Advocates organization.
Wilda was also known for her contributions to the community--in terms of financial giving, time/energy, and sheer presence. In fact, Wilda and Bill were honored by the Sumner Regional Medical Center Foundation in 2004 for their support of the Foundation and role in funding a new county health department facility. Friends viewed Wilda and Bill as “Team Bilda.” They supported each other’s interests as well as community organizations such as Downtown Gallatin, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Shalom Zone, Salvus, Rotary, Junior League, Habitat for Humanity, Gallatin Chamber of Commerce, Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance and Volunteer Equine Advocates (VEA).
She also cared deeply about human rights, women’s issues and America’s future, and supported the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center. For many years, she has sponsored a scholarship for returning women students at Volunteer State Community College.
Always creative and with an eye for bright, bold colors, Wilda enjoyed sewing, flower arranging, knitting, and various other craft projects. She read widely, both fiction and non-fiction, and enjoyed mysteries.
Wilda will be missed by many, but her contributions will live on, in Gallatin and beyond.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 11am til 3pm at Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Gallatin. The family is planning a Celebration of Life for sometime after the upcoming holidays, to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in her honor to Volunteer Equine Advocates (VEA), Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 584 Nashville Pike, Gallatin. (615) 502 0011 Online condolences can be made at www.AlexanderGallatin.com
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