Deborah Hudson interview with Forrest Wayne Hudson, Blanche Hudson, Edna Hudson, Debbie R. Hudson, Grace Ledford, George Long, Willene Long, and Mark Hudson (part one)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. This is the first of a two part recording in which Deborah Hudson interviews family members from her mothers side, the Milfords, and her fathers side, the Hudsons. At 0:25, Forrest Hudson tells a joke about a veterinarian prescribing a cat gasoline after it gets stuck in a freezer. Then at 2:07, Blanche Hudson tells a story about two men who rob a bank after which they run into a cemetery where they hear disembodied voices. At 3:59, Edna Hudson starts telling a series of ghost stories. First, she recounts a story about the actress Sarah Bernhards obsession with death, followed by one about a child who saw a light outside her window flicker on at the same time her father died. Then she recalls when her coworker had a premonition about her dog dying in a dream. Next at 9:45, Hudson says that when her father was in the hospital sick with cancer, his late wife appeared by his hospital bed. She then tells a story about her mother encountering the ghosts of her two deceased daughters who told her that their father was in heaven with them. At 13:11, Hudson tells a story about an undertaker experiencing an accurate premonition about a corpse with his eyes and mouth open. At 15:16, Susan McMillan follows this up by recalling her own premonition about her mother falling down the steps. Then Blanche Hudson remembers her next door neighbor, who made vaults for the undertaking industry. Edna Florence Milford (1930-2007) was born in Tucker, Georgia, to James Milford (1891-1960) and Albie Milford (1897-1957). She had a sister, Willene (1918-2011), who married George Long (1915-1992) (of Franklin, North Carolina); they later lived in Lilburn, Georgia. In 1966, Edna Milford married Forrest Wayne Hudson (1926-2009), who was also born in Tucker. His parents were Blanche Horne Hudson (1902-1985), who was born in Ocilla, Georgia, and John Baylis Hudson (1896-1959), who lived in Loganville. John Baylis Hudson received an eighth grade education and registered for the World War I draft. They had three children in addition to Forrest Wayne. In 1945, Forrest Wayne Hudson enlisted in the armed forces. Edna and Forrest Hudson lived in Tucker and had at least two children, the interviewer, Deborah Hudson (1954- ), and Forrest Wayne Hudson (1948- ), who attended Dekalb College. Mark Hudson (1952-1988) was born in Tucker and attended Georgia State University. He served in the United States Navy between 1972 and 1975. Grace Long Ledford (1927-2003), Edna Hudsons cousin, was born to Paul (1904-1988) and Gertrude Long (1907-1997) in Franklin, North Carolina. In 1948 she married Thomas Ledford (1925-1992). Susan McMillan (1950- ), the interviewers cousin, lived in Decatur, Georgia. Debbie Hudson, was born in approximately 1955. No additional biographical information has been determined. A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.