Thomas Frank Hudnall

Thomas Frank Hudnall went to be with the Lord and his wife of 57 years, Agnes "Ilene" McHenry Hudnall, on January 5, 2009, just three days after his eighty-fifth birthday. Frank was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Force serving in World War II. It was during this time in the military that he met and married Ilene McHenry of Gilmer County, WV, who was serving in the Army. After completing their military stint, the couple returned to the mining town of Crown Hill, WV, the place of his youth where many of his family members lived. The couple had three children and moved to Houston, Texas, and Cleveland, Ohio, in their early years, but always returned to Kanawha County where they lived most of their married lives until moving to Point Pleasant in 1986. Frank remained a widower after Ilene's death in 2003. Frank was born in Crown Hill, West Virginia, on January 2, 1924, to Milburn F. Hudnall and Josephine E. Reed Hudnall. Frank's boyhood and most of his working days were spent in the coal fields of Kanawha and surrounding counties. He loved coal mining and spent many hours reminiscing with all who would listen about his days in the coal mines. His colorful stories painted a work that was hard but his passion for mining never ceased. In addition to his wife and parents, Frank was preceded in death by four brothers, Rouser Hudnall of Crown Hill, Philmore Hudnall of Point Pleasant and Sanford Hudnall and Johnny Hudnall of Hansford. Also preceding Frank in death were six sisters, Madeline "Mac" Belcher of Riverside, Irene Hudnall and Opal Garrison of Crown Hill, and Rose "Tite" Robinson, Gertrude Hackworth, and Mae Nichols all of Hansford, WV. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Sue Hudnall of Point Pleasant, two daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Robert Stewart of Mason and Geraldine "Gerri" and Jim Tate of New Haven; four grandsons and their wives, Eric and Susan Petry of Mason, Shawn and Susan Petry of New Haven, Frankie and Tracy Hudnall of Milton, Chris and Marsha Tate of New Haven, two granddaughters, Jamie and her husband Eddie Grimes of Point Pleasant, and Andrea Tate of New Haven along with 17 great-grandchildren. Frank is also survived by three brothers and their wives, Milburn Edward "Giggs" and Freda of Princeton; Bob and Janet of Cleveland, Ohio; Ira and Wanda of Crestline, Ohio; three sisters, Loraine Atkinson of Charleston, Betty and her husband Lorenzo "Buddy" Massey of Hansford, Mary Graley of Wooster, Ohio; and two sisters-in-law, Eula Hudnall of Point Pleasant and Judy Hudnall of Hansford, WV. Frank was in the care of Pleasant Valley Nursing Care Center of Point Pleasant at the time of his passing. The family would like to express their appreciation for their care of him. Wilcoxen Funeral Home of Point Pleasant is providing funeral arrangements. Visitation will be at Wilcoxen Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens in Glasgow, West Virginia, with Reverend Carl "Boxer" Swisher officiating. Military honors will be given by WV Honor Guard. Friends may visit from 12:00 to 12:30 prior to the service at the Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans Fund, c/o Veterans Administration Regional Office, 640 4th Avenue, Room 138, Huntington, WV 25701. Online condolences may be made at www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.