Ocilla mayor dies suddenly; funeral arrangements made
Mayor Horace L. Hudgins of Ocilla, who turned 71 on Tuesday, died Wednesday night of a heart attack, his family says. Funeral services for Mayor Horace L. Hudgins will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Ocilla Church of God. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at Ocilla Church of God.
OCILLA, Ga. – According to our partners at the Tifton Grapevine Newsletter,
Mayor Horace L. Hudgins of Ocilla, who turned 71 on Tuesday, died Wednesday night of a heart attack, his family says.
Hudgins was serving his second stint as Ocilla’s mayor. He served in 2014-15 before resigning to unsuccessfully seek a seat in the Ga. House of Representatives. He was elected mayor again in November 2021.
Hudgins had spent more than 40 years with Georgia Power and had served as a district manager for the Ocilla and Ashburn areas. During his longtime service with the power company, many knew him by his nickname “Kilowatt.”
“Last night, when I received the call about the passing of my dear friend Horace Hudgins (Kilowatt), my heart was heavy with sadness; we had just spoken earlier in the day,” state Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, said on social media.
“He was at home helping his community. He worked hard for Ocilla and Irwin County as mayor. We worked on many projects together, and everywhere we went, everyone knew Horace. Horace had a story to tell about friends all over the state,” Summers said.
“I will miss my friend; I will miss his guidance; I will miss his kindness. I pray for comfort for his family, and I remind everyone reading this post: No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so always tell your family and friends how much they mean to you because all of our days are numbered.”
Tift County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer wrote to the Hudgins family on social media: “I am so saddened to hear this shocking news! Praying for you and your family.”
Spud Bowen of Tifton said, “Prayers for the family. Horace was a good and a helpful friend to so many. All of Georgia will miss him.”
Among his civic activities, Hudgins was a longtime Rotary Club member and had served as a Rotary Assistant Governor for the Southeastern District of Georgia. He also had served on the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes Board of Directors.
Funeral services for Mayor Horace L. Hudgins will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Ocilla Church of God, located at 302 Fitzgerald Hwy Ocilla, Georgia 31774. He will lie in state one hour prior to the services. Private interment will be in New Prospect Community Church Cemetery in Ware County, Georgia. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at Ocilla Church of God.
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