Gossie Harold Hudson

Dr. Gossie Harold Hudson, was born February 22, 1930 to the late Mr. Gossie Mack and Bertha Elizabeth Hudson in New Bern, North Carolina. During his early years, Gossie wanted to be a musician, writer and historian, all at the same timeAfter completing high school, Gossie attended Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). While at Morgan, he joined the United States Army and served our country for two years. He spent 18 months of his TDY stationed in Germany.After finishing his tenure with the Army, Gossie transferred to North Carolina Central University. While attending North Carolina Central University, Gossie met the love of his life Ms Florence Delores McCall. In May of 1956, Gossie and Florence gradated; they united in holy matrimony on June 30, 1956. From this union, Mr. Gossie Harold Hudson, Jr., who preceded him in death and Mrs. Florence Elizabeth Hudson-McPherson. Earlier in life, Gossie became a father to Mrs. Cassandra Hodges.In his spare time, Gossie enjoyed playing his saxophone, clarinet and a bit of piano. He also enjoyed writing poetry. He became an authority on Paul Laurence Dunbar and William Florville, Abraham Lincoln’s barber. One of his most memorable moments was meeting a granddaughter of Paul Laurence Dunbar, in her home in Delaware. She was so delighted to meet one who had written so many books and articles and had conducted an extensive research into her grandfather’s history. She was so moved she gave him a trunk load of her grandfather’s possessions.His first teaching job was in Sarasota, Florida at Butler-Baker High School. Gossie taught and lived in several other states. His most notable move was to Columbus, Ohio. Where he received his doctoral degree in History. His doctoral dissertation was on Paul Laurence Dunbar. One of the last stops in his academic career was his move to Baltimore, Maryland. There he accepted the position as full professor and chairman of the Department of History at Morgan State University. Gossie remained at Morgan for 20 years, retiring in 1999. Also in 1999, Gossie received the Doctor Of Human Letters Honorary Degree, conferred by Sojourner Douglass College.While at Morgan, Gossie initiated a two-way talk show, named “Just You and Me”. This show enlightened the community concerning little known facts about black people. The show aired through WEAA at Morgan State University and was successfully aired for 27 years. Gossie has published 7 books: “ The Paul Laurence Dunbar Reader”; “Forward for Freedom: Abraham Lincoln and the Negroes”; “My Soul Sings”; “A Biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar”; “My Favorite Dunbar Poems”; “Abraham Lincoln and Blacks During the Civil War, with special reference to William Florence “; “A Directory of Black Historians, Essays and Commentaries” and over 75 articles.On September 20, 2009, Gossie was called by God to wait His return. To cherish his memory, he leaves his lovely and adoring wife, Florence Delories Hudson; his daughters, Florence Elizabeth Hudson-McPherson of Baltimore, MD and Cassandra Hodges (Melvin) of New Bern, N.C.; his grandchildren, Erica Hodges, Melvin Hodges, Jr., Lindsay Nicole, Keith Quentin, Jr., Justin Jeremy and Florence Delories II McPherson; his great- grandchildren Shawn Harold Brandon Gregory, Nicholas Gaymon and Audrey Lauren Aur; his aunt and uncle, Velma and Arthur Moore; sisters-in-law, Mary Elvern Parish and Jean Arnold McCall, a close relatives Hilton Reddick; first cousins-in-law, Leon and Ethel Andrews, a host of loving family, friends and extremely close friend considered as a family member, Carrie Godette.

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Gossie Harold Hudson

February 22, 1930 - September 20, 2009