James Brownley Hudgins

James “Bullet” Hudgins, age 75, of Mathews, Virginia, left us peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Mathews, Virginia, to the late Harriet and Brownley Hudgins, Jimmy attended Mathews High School, where he played football and was involved in many clubs. After high school, Jimmy graduated from the Newport News Apprentice School. After a short employment with the Newport News Shipyard, he moved to the Amoco Yorktown Oil Refinery, working there for over 30 years before retiring as the Assistant Fire Chief. Following retirement, he started his employment at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home in Mathews.  

In 1977, Jimmy married the love of his life, Nancy Blake. Together, they raised their two children, James Blake Hudgins (Lindsay) and Stephanie Lynn Foster (Seth), and their grandson, Hunter Foster. Second to God, was his family. His love for the outdoors was shown through fishing the local waters on the “Miss Nancy” and hunting with Harcum Hunt Club. He spent countless hours with his grandson hunting, fishing and watching him play sports. He could be found usually on the Chesapeake Bay or responding to a fire call. He was actively involved in his high school reunions, a member of Bethel Church of Mathews where he was deeply involved in the Men’s Prayer Breakfast, and a member of the Harcum Hunt Club where he served as the Head Chef. He was also an active member of the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years. His dedication and service to his community was shown by the 50-plus years of dedicated service to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, where he served in various roles, including the ranks of Lieutenant and Assistant Chief. 

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Piankatank Ruritan Club, 7138 Buckley Hall Road, Hudgins, VA 23076. Interment will follow in H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery, 251 Smither’s Lane (Rt. 627) Hudgins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, VA 23109, or Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Rd., Hudgins, VA 23076.