Gineth E. Hudson

Gineth E. Hudson, 103 passed away peacefully and went to his Heavenly home on Wednesday morning, April 8, 2026, at his home in Bolivar, Missouri. Gineth was born at home in the Cat Creek Community in Harrison County, Missouri on November 10, 1922 to Richard Olin and Gladys Manda (Smith) Hudson. He was one of five children. Gineth was educated in Glaze School (a one room school house) for grades 1-8 and received his high school education and graduated from Cainsville High School in Cainsville, Missouri. He graduated from Cainsville High School in May, 1940. Following High School, Gineth worked with his father and older brother on the family farm. A role which he continued even after his older brother was drafted in World War II. Gineth was deferred from military service three times due to his father’s health and the farming assistance he was providing to the neighbors. On July 11, 1944, Gineth enlisted in the Army as part of M Company, 21st Infantry, 24th Division. He was trained in heavy weaponry but later was transferred to the motor pool. He served in the Philippines and was part of the occupying Army in Japan. Gineth attained the rank of Sargent. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. Gineth was honorably discharged on July 29, 1946. Following his discharge from the Army, Gineth returned to the family farm and purchased a 60 acre farm adjacent to the family farm. His family were active members of the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, Missouri, where he met the love of his life, Ethlyn Jane Meinecke. They were married on Friday, July 13, 1951. Four children were born into their family: Catherine Sue, Gineth Lee, Dennis Hardin and Kevin Leroy. Gineth accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 during revival services at Glaze Methodist Church. He said that he immediately felt the joy of His presence and gladly shared with his friends what had happened in his life. Gineth was baptized the following fall into the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, Missouri. Gineth surrendered to the call to preach on November 21, 1956, during services at the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, Missouri. This decision led him to sell their farm and move to Bolivar, Missouri where he enrolled in Southwest Baptist College in January, 1957. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in May, 1959. Gineth returned to Bolivar in August, 1966 to attend Southwest Baptist University to complete his ministerial education and obtain a teaching degree. He graduated May, 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. As a bi-vocational minister, Gineth worked in the following positions to support the family while pastoring churches: Keith’s Turkey Hatchery, Bolivar, Missouri; McNeese Farms, Everton, Missouri; Carpentry; and as a Remedial Reading Teacher for the Pleasant Hope Public Schools (September, 1968 until retirement May 1983). Gineth was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on June 7, 1959 by the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Everton, Missouri. Other churches he pastored during his 56 years of ministry were: Shady Grove Baptist Church, near Warsaw, Missouri; Jamestown Baptist Church, Jamestown, Missouri; Immanuel Baptist Church, Bethany, Missouri; Hopewell Baptist Church, Quincy, Missouri; Lazy Acres Baptist Church, Edwards, Missouri and Mt. Edna Baptist Church, Bolivar, Missouri. He volunteered as chaplain for the Citizens Memorial Hospice and was commissioned to the Mission Service Corps by the home Mission Board of Southern Baptist Convention, a role where he served from 1991-1993. He retired from pastoring for the final time at the age of 90 after shepherding churches for 56 years. Gineth enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, carpentry work and reading. He always took time each morning for his daily devotions and the study of God’s word. Woodworking projects he made included cradles for the first child of each of his children and combinations cradles/rocking chairs for his granddaughters for their baby dolls. Gineth really enjoyed evenings spent by the wood fire in the firepit. Gineth is preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Jane; his granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth (Molder) Miller; a grandson-in-law, Travis Patterson; his parents, Richard & Gladys Hudson; an infant brother; his stepmother, Leola Hudson; his brother, Lester and wife Iris Hudson; his sister, Garlene and husband Floran Robbins; his brother-in-law, Bill Dinsmore; a niece, Neva Rose Robbins; a nephew, Rowan Robbins; parents-in-law, Oral and Helen Meinecke; stepmother-in-law, Anna Mae Meinecke; brothers and sisters-in law, Russel and Rosanna Meinecke, Bill Meinecke, Winnie & Johnnie Hoskins, Larry Meinecke, Laveta Meinecke, Howard DeLong and Marvin Willis; niece-in-law, Bonnie DeLong and nephews-in-law, Billy DeLong and Allen Keeler. Gineth is survived by his children, Cathy (Ron) Molder, Gineth Lee (Cheryl) Hudson, Dennis (Diana) Hudson and Kevin (Roxy) Hudson; grandchildren, Leah Sweeney (Ben), Rebecca Beem (Charles), Heather Pelton (Sean), Hawke Patterson, Erica Lee (Josh), JoBeth Lynch (Andy), Katy Cochran (Clint) and grandson-in-law, Evan Miller; nine great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Elijah, Ana, Ellie and Eddie Beem, Lizzie and Ella Lynch, Landon and Mach Cochran; a sister, Deleta Dinsmore; two sisters-in-law, Jeri DeLong, Roberta Willis; Mary Meinecke and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.

Gineth E. Hudson

November 10, 1922 - April 8, 2026