Emmit Hudspeth

June 9, 1918 - January 23, 2012

Obituary for Emmit Hudspeth Emmit Riley Hudspeth, Belden, 93, was born in Sarah, MS on a farm, June 9, 1918 to Joe Lawrence Hudspeth and wife Addie Belle Turner Hudspeth, one of 7 children, six brothers and one sister whom all proceeded Emmit. Emmit passed away January, 23, 2012 at the Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. As a young man farming in the Delta, one of Emmits young farm hands was a young singer, now famous, named Charlie Pride. When WWII was started, Emmit went off to war, becoming a Platoon Sergeant in the 315th Infantry Reg, 79th Div (Cross of Lorraine), Emmit fought in Europe, took part in the Normandy Invasion and was in the allied force that trapped a German Army on the Cotentin Peninsula, in France, where Emmit was wounded in the fierce fighting that ensued. Emmit later fought in the battle of the Hurtgen Forest, where he was wounded for the second time. Rejoining his outfit after his release from the hospital and while near the Rur River, Emmit was wounded for the third time by an artillery shell burst. Emmit was awarded three Purple Hearts, Combat Infantry Badge, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Presidential Unit Citation for Valor, the Good Conduct Medal; the Victory Medal WWII; American Theater of Operations ribbon; the European-African and Middle Eastern Theater of Operations ribbon with four battle stars. Emmit returned home after the war, to farm and to work for the MS State Department of Transportation. Emmit became a DOT Road Crew foreman and supervisor. Later in life Emmit moved to Memphis, TN where he owned and operated a business. After he retired, Emmit moved to Belden, MS where he was a member of the Belden Baptist Church. Emmit married Doris F. Lackey Ellison on July 12, 1971, daughter of Jessie & Eula Mae Lackey of Belden, MS . He is survived by two children, Robert Earl Ellison of Belden and Venica Lea Ellison Harmon (Edward) of Destin FL. Two Grandchildren Lisa Harmon Burson (Richard) of Panama City, FL and Jonathan Drew Harmon (Genean) of Las Vegas Nevada and 4 great grandchildren. Emmit will be laid to rest January 30, 2012 at 11:00 AM in the Belden Cemetery. Reverend Jim Holcomb will officiate. Funeral arrangements by Pegues Funeral Home, Tupelo, MS viewing will be at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Mississippi State Veterans Home 120 Veterans Dr., Oxford, MS 38655 in Emmits name.