Rev. Lance Edward Hudgens, 78, of Columbia, died on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Born in Peoria, Illinois, on September 24, 1946, he was a son of the late Edward Lee and Dorothy Houghton Hudgens.

Lance grew up playing basketball and tennis through his school years and into college where he played tennis at McMurray. He also taught tennis lessons from high school through his graduate school career. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he later earned his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. He lived in Georgetown in the summer during his seminary years and formed lifelong friendships with a group of men referred to as "The Fellowship Gathering." These men and their families would continue to meet once a year in the summer for over 40 consecutive years. It was a time of spiritual growth, fellowship and renewal for three generations of people. The latter years of The Fellowship Gathering happened on the coast of South Carolina in the N. Litchfield Beach area. The families drove from all over the country for the gathering.

Lance met his wife, Jacque Childress, while teaching a bible study that she attended. They were both leaders in the group and discipled younger men and women. They were married in August of 1972 and moved to their first home in Hyattsville, MD. All three of their children were born there. Lance loved to take his kids fishing and taught all three of them to play tennis.

Rev. Hudgens started his ministry in Maryland under the teaching and guidance of Pastor Glen Knecht at Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, as an associate pastor. There he taught the College and Career class alongside some of the close friends he formed during his seminary years. He had a profound effect on many lives and saw many of the class members get married and start families. Lance's life verses were John 13:34-35, which is the New Commandment, that we will be known as Christians by our love for one another. He often would say when spending time with believers, "Jesus is here." Lance was a source of strength and encouragement and spent a great deal of time discipling men in the congregation.

Glen Knecht was called to serve at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC and Lance was called there several years later in 1986, as an associate pastor. Lance served faithfully at First Presbyterian for 18 years. He is remembered often for his teaching of the "Family Matters" Sunday School class. He was then called to St. Louis to Central Presbyterian Church where he served with Dr. Dan Doriani for 8 years. When he retired, he and his wife Jacque moved back to Columbia to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Lance and Jacque loved to spend time after church with their family having lunch in their home, enjoying their kids and grandkids. After the meal, Lance would have a short devotional and prayer. He would always begin at dessert time and say, "while you have something sweet for your tongues, I will read you something sweet for your soul!" He also liked to ask "the question of the day" to stimulate conversation and involve everyone from oldest to the youngest. He and Jacque enjoyed spending time at their grandkids' sporting events and school events. His biggest priority was his family.

Survivors include his wife, Jacque Childress Hudgens; sons, Jonathan Edward Hudgens (Elizabeth) and Gregory David Hudgens (Lauren); daughter, Kristin Hudgens Cason (Frank); grandchildren, Margaret Copeland Hudgens, Jonathan Edward Hudgens, Jr., Jane McCrary Hudgens, Jacquelyn Theresa Hudgens, Edward Blanton Hudgens, Gibson Childress Hudgens, Margaret Anderson Hudgens, Frank Walker Cason, Jr., Claude Anderson Cason and Jane Martin Cason. In addition to his parents, Rev. Hudgens was preceded in death by his sister, Cynthia Sauder; and brother, Steve Hudgens.

The service for Rev. Hudgens will be held at 1 o'clock, Thursday, October 24th, in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, with the Rev. Dr. Neil Stewart and the Rev. Dr. Mark Ross officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Jackson Hall at the church. A private burial will precede the service in the churchyard. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201.