Friends and colleagues remember Carrie Hudson as a God-fearing woman who loved her community.

Hudson, who spent more than a decade on the Winchester Board of Commissioners and served as mayor pro tem, passed away Saturday at age 71.

Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, who was city manager at the time, said Hudson was appointed to the commission in 1983 to fill the unexpired term of Paul Scott. She was then elected to five consecutive two-year terms, before deciding not to run for re-election in 1993. She eventually assumed the role of mayor pro tem after getting more votes than the other commissioner candidates.

“Every time she ran, she finished higher and higher,” Burtner said. “Had she chosen to run that last time, I’m confident she would have been mayor one day.”

Burtner said Hudson also ran for county magistrate in 1982 but was defeated. She also served as an election poll worker in recent years.

Hudson grew up in Winchester and attended Oliver Street School, friend William Baker said.

“She’s a wonderful mother and a God-fearing mother,” Baker said. “She has touched so many people through her love for the community.”

Baker said they grew up together and Hudson consistently attended church programs, Bible studies and helped others.

“We always went to Bible study together,” he said. “We have been very church-oriented people. We enjoyed the people and doing things for others. She lived that life.

I will miss Carrie. I appreciate the memories I have.”

Hudson is survived by Roy Hudson, her husband of 25 years, and daughter Kimberly Patton.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Broadway Missionary Baptist Church, 121 W. Broadway St.

An obituary can be found on page A3.