Luther M. Hudson (November 9, 1882 – October 25, 1972) was a funeral director, business owner, and a charter board member of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Born in Henry County, Missouri, Hudson was the youngest of Coleman C. and Martha Hudson's seven children. After graduating from Clinton High School, Hudson studied mortuary science at Worsham School in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1908 Hudson married his first wife, Ida Mosley (Hudson). Moving to Oakland in 1915, Hudson opened the Hudson and Butler Funeral Home.
Hudson was one of the original founders of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, the largest black-owned insurance company in the western United States, contributing $15,000 to help it secure an insurance license in 1925. He also served on the company’s Board of Directors up until his death in 1972.
For 29 years Hudson owned and operated the Hudson Funeral Home until 1943 when the failing health of his wife Ida forced him to sell the funeral home to Aramis Fouche, and move to Los Angeles, California.
In 1970 Hudson married charm school and etiquette instructor, Annette Starr Bruce, in Los Angeles.
Links and References
- obituary for Luther M. Hudson Oakland Tribune October 28, 1972
