Hudie Charles Holifield

Hudie Charles Holifield

Hudie Charles Holifield, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, minister, pilot, and friend, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. His life was marked by faith, family, music, service, adventure, and an unwavering love for the Lord.

Hudie was born on February 27, 1941, to Hudie Alton and Gaynelle Holifield of Laurel, Mississippi. He grew up in the country, where life was simple and centered around family and hard work. His family grew their own vegetables, and he spent time with his grandfather, Hudie Isaiah, making sorghum molasses. One of Hudie's favorite childhood traditions was visiting Kress Department Store on Saturdays, where, for a dime, he could get an elbow-length bag of popcorn. It was a simple pleasure, but one he remembered fondly.

A Life Called to Ministry

Hudie was the oldest of three children, with his sister, Ann Elizabeth, and his brother, Howard Lynch. The siblings learned to sing and harmonize together with their mother, Gaynelle, playing the piano. They grew up singing at home, at church, and at All Day Sings throughout the Laurel area.

Their love of music eventually led to a dream they had carried for years: recording an album together. In the early 1970s, that dream became a reality with the recording of Songs We Love – The Living Water. Howard and Hudie sang tenor, while Ann sang alto and accompanied them on the piano. Their mother also lent her beautiful voice to several of their songs.

On August 15, 1956, at the young age of 15, Hudie answered the call to ministry and began preaching at youth rallies and gospel sings. Gospel ministry became a lasting foundation of Hudie’s life. As the son of a pastor, he grew up watching his father serve the Lord, and those early experiences would shape his own lifelong love for the Lord and commitment to ministry.

Service to His Country and a Lifelong Love Story

Having served honorably in the United States Air Force, his military service reflected the same commitment and dedication that characterized so much of his life. He often reminisced about calling cadence for his platoon. His ability to march his unit to its next destination with efficiency even helped keep him out of KP duty.

It was during his time in Wichita Falls, Texas, that Hudie’s life took another important turn. Nadene Kennemur worked at the dry cleaners on the Sheppard Air Force Base, where the other ladies affectionately called Hudie “Mississippi.” The ladies were not allowed to accept dates over the counter, but that didn’t stop Hudie. He simply walked around the corner, found a pay phone, and called Nadene to ask her out. That simple phone call marked the beginning of a love story that would span nearly 63 years—a love story built on faith, family, laughter, and a lifetime of memories together. Hudie and Nadene were married on September 18th, and together they raised five children: Brodie Lee, Jay Lynn, Andrea Michele, Deanna Gay, and Chad Taylor.

A Husband, Father, and Pappy

Family was at the heart of Hudie's life. He loved being a husband and father and, later, a grandfather. To his grandchildren, he was lovingly known as Pappy.

Hudie loved to travel, whether it was a simple picnic at a roadside park or a cross-country adventure with the family packed into the station wagon. Some of their favorite outings included stopping at the scenic lookout points along the Natchez Trace Parkway. No matter the destination, Mom’s delicious fried chicken was sure to make the trip even better. Those long road trips from Mississippi to California to visit Granny were adventures in themselves. Mile after mile, the family traveled together, entertained by the mysterious and suspenseful stories of CBS Mystery Theater playing over the car radio. With the miles rolling by and another mystery unfolding through the speakers, those trips became more than journeys—they became cherished family memories that would last a lifetime.

He wasn't perfect, and his family wouldn't want anyone to tell the story otherwise. He would pass over many opportunities to use patience at a traffic light. When the light turned green and the car in front of him didn't move, he would exclaim, “It doesn't get any greener!” But underneath the humor was a loving and caring father who simply wanted to spend time with his children. He might show up unexpectedly to check one of them out of school just to spend the day together. Or he might drive them to school and, somewhere along the way, change the plan: No school!

In later years, he might call and say, “I want to take you to lunch.” But we soon learned that lunch was often just a setup for the real mission—a trip to Walmart for a 40-pound bag of birdseed. Then came the operation: loading it into the buggy, unloading it at the car, carrying it into the house, putting it in its specified place, and, of course, filling the bird feeders. What once seemed like a simple chore is now a treasured memory. Oh, for the opportunity to hear him ask us to feed the birds just one more time.

A Love of Flying and Adventure

Hudie's adventurous spirit was evident throughout his life, but perhaps nowhere more than in his love of flying. He began flying in a single-engine aircraft and learned to navigate by using the ground topography below him as his map. As his family grew, he graduated to a six-seater aircraft. He continued to pursue aviation, completing a course in Henderson, Nevada, to become a commercial pilot and earning his IFR (instrument flight rating). His love of flying, whether in the cockpit or as a passenger, eventually became intertwined with his ministry, as he traveled to Cuba, Africa, and Honduras on mission trips. While traveling through customs in Africa, officials saw his name and began play-boxing toward him, apparently thinking of the famous boxer Evander Holyfield. Without missing a beat, Hudie put his hand on his chest and said, “My brother!” The officials laughed and waved him through—without checking his papers or his bags. It was a classic Hudie moment: quick-witted, confident, and always ready to turn an ordinary situation into a story worth telling.

Sharing the Word Through Radio and Television

Hudie's ministry extended beyond the pulpit. Through Sharing the Word of God Ministries, he used radio and television to reach people with the message of God's Word. He ministered across the airwaves with both radio and television spanning three decades throughout Mississippi: Ellisville, McComb, Bruce, Water Valley, and Brandon. Those who listened to or watched his programs may remember his familiar closing words: “Smile and Look Up! God Really Does Love You!”

A Faith He Lived

One of Hudie's favorite Scriptures was Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He trusted that promise and lived with the confidence that God would provide. Other Scriptures he often taught from included 1 Peter 2:24: “...by whose stripes ye were healed,” and Isaiah 53:5: “...and with his stripes we are healed.” Hudie had a way of making Scripture memorable, sometimes with a little humor. He would say: “It may not be good grammar, but if we were and we are, then we IS healed!” He also loved Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” For 70 years, Hudie was actively involved in ministry. His personal relationship with the Lord was at the center of his life, and God’s Word was deeply woven into who he was. He could quote just about any scripture, chapter and verse. But his knowledge of the Bible went far beyond memorization. He understood the power and meaning behind the words and He didn't simply know the Word of God—he spoke it, shared it, and lived it.

The Things That Made Him Hudie

Hudie's life was filled with many interests and adventures. He had a genuine love for cars. He didn't simply recognize a car—he knew it. He knew makes and models, could tell you the horsepower, and loved to go fast.

That same adventurous spirit carried over to motorcycles. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his son Chad, including a memorable trip from Bruce, Mississippi, to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to attend the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show.

He was also an enthusiastic sports fan, especially when it came to the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Braves, and Alabama Crimson Tide. He enjoyed watching his teams and sharing in the excitement of the game.

He also enjoyed the simple pleasure of a good meal, including visits to Eslava's Seafood Grille. Hudie and Chad frequently visited there two or three times a week. Chad ordered the Cajun Crawfish Pasta nearly every time. Today, that dish is on the menu as “Chad’s Favorite Pasta,” in his memory as a lasting reminder of the many meals, conversations, and memories shared between father and son around that table.

Perhaps one of the best ways to remember Hudie is through the things he said. If you asked him how he was doing, his answer was almost always: “I'm blessed.” Sometimes he would say, “We're blessed coming and going—even if we don't know which.” That was Hudie. His words reflected a heart that chose gratitude and faith. He believed that God was good, God was faithful, and God would provide.

One of his favorite sayings was: “We are like tea bags. Put us in hot water and whatever is on the inside comes out.” His life was a testimony of what happens when the Word of God is planted deeply in a person's heart. And when the pressures of life came, what was inside came out.

His Legacy

Hudie Charles Holifield leaves behind a legacy that will live on through his wife of almost 63 years, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his extended family, his friends, and the countless people whose lives were touched by his ministry.

Preceding Hudie in death are his sons: Brodie Lee Holifield, and Chad Taylor Holifield, his parents, Hudie Alton and Gaynelle Otis Taylor Holifield, and his brother, Howard Lynch Holifield

Now honoring Hudie’s memory are his beloved wife, Nadene Kennemur Holifield, his son, Jay (Sharon) Holifield, his daughters, Andrea Michele (Joey) Coleman and Deanna Gay (Fonzie) Garcia, his daughter-in-law, Kimberly Claire Holifield, and his sister, Ann (Louis) Griffith; Grandchildren: Amber Nicole Hipkins, Brodie Alton Holifield, Dallas Marie Holifield, Abigail Rose (John) Macoy, Isabelle Rose (Isaac) Barragan, Gabriel Charles Garcia, and Carsen Taylor Holifield; Great Grandchildren: Brendon Watkins, Blair Estella Barragan, and John Newland Macoy; Nephews and Nieces: Mark (Tammy) Griffith, Cynthia Griffith, Sherry Cavaness, Lindsey Cavaness, Lonnie Cavaness, Alicia Griffith, Amanda (Vince) Gatlin, Kim (Wayne) Brewer, Wakefield (Braci) Gatlin, Kason, Kolton and Kasey Gatlin; Cousins: Sandra Phillips Hatton, Jane Taylor, Paul Taylor, Connie Roney Johnson, Charlene Taylor Key, Sallie Phillips Rustin, Jimmy Olyn Miles, Michael Whitley, Joy Taylor, George Ricky Miles, Curtis Roney, Darlene Whitley Stonefield, Vicki Roney Hilbun, Arlene Taylor Chesser, Terri Cooley Hill, and David Taylor.

Preceded in death: Max Phillips, Travis Olyn Taylor, Jr., Billy Taylor, Don Taylor, Jamie Phillips Roddey, Charles William (Billy) Taylor, and Linda Taylor.

Service Information

The service will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence, Mississippi.

Visitation: 9:00–11:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: 12:00 p.m.

A life of 70 years of ministry is now complete. A life of faith has become sight. And the man who so often said, “I'm blessed,” has received the greatest blessing of all.