Dr. Alice Gayle Hudgens, affectionately known as “Gayle,” passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024, at Ascension Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas, after a brief and unexpected illness. Born on April 20, 1941, in Artesia, New Mexico, Gayle lived a life defined by learning, love, and dedication to service, living a legacy that deeply touched those around her. She was 83.
Gayle is survived by her beloved husband of over 40 years, Harvey L. Davis, Jr.; her children: Hal Watson III (daughter-in-law, Nancy D. Watson), Amy Logan, stepson Robert Davis; and her cherished grandchildren – Brett, Wendy and Ross Watson, and Vaughan Logan. She is also survived by her nephews: David and Tony Hudgens. Gayle is predeceased by her father, J. Don Hudgens; mother, Evelyn Magrill Hudgens; stepson Christopher Paul Davis Davis; and brother, Gary R. Hudgens.
From her early years, Gayle’s life was marked by curiosity and resilience. The daughter of an Army-Air Force serviceman, she moved frequently during her childhood, living in thirteen homes across the U.S. before she turned five. Her commitment to academic excellence was evident from a young age; she earned straight A’s throughout school, and her remarkable memory held onto every teacher’s name. Gayle’s educational journey was filled with rich experiences, including a year as an AFS exchange student in Córdoba, Argentina, before graduating from Hobbs High School. While attending the University of New Mexico, she was crowned Miss Wool of America and was a proud member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the social sorority of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the University of New Mexico Student Council.
A lifelong learner, Gayle pursued her intellectual passions, earning three advanced degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, master’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Library Science, and a PhD in Educational Administration. A former Ford Foundation Scholar, she did postdoctoral work in the study of the future and holds certifications from The Natural Step and in the business and personal coaching profession.
She was the assistant press secretary to Governor John Connally in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She was a reference librarian for the Latin American Collection in the Main Building at The University of Texas in 1966 when the tower sniper Charles Whitman killed and wounded almost fifty people.
Her career as an author and scholar was prolific; her published works include
Columbia, Ecuador and Venezuela (1971), Our Monster in Brazil: It All Began with ‘Brother Sam’ in The Nation (1977), The Whistle-Blower’s Daily Treasure (1983), and Collaborative Spunk (2002).
Her scholarship was only one facet of her impact, as she was a fervent activist, founding the Emerging Public Issues Corporation (EPIC) for consulting and publishing, starting the North Texas Greens, blowing the whistle of government corruption, writing a seven-part series in a Ruidoso newspaper about a radioactive landfill on the Mescalero Reservation and contributing to numerous causes and campaigns aimed at improving the world.
Gayle’s community involvement extended to her role as a Regional Registrar for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and as a Councilperson for the City of Hays, Texas. Her love for history and genealogy led her to prove the patriot lineage of 28 ancestors for DAR. Fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, she brought warmth and understanding to all her interactions, bridging cultures with ease.
A woman of diverse interests, Gayle explored spirituality, evolving from Methodist to Unitarian and finally embracing Quakerism. She cared deeply for animals and surrounded herself with beloved cats, dogs, and even goats. Her passions included climate science, nuclear waste management, nutrition, veganism, organic gardening (for many years she wrote a gardening column for the Free Press in Hays County), and brain health. She exemplified the spirit of a “futurist,” always learning, teaching, and inspiring others to pursue knowledge and kindness.
Those who knew Gayle will remember her as a vibrant presence who championed happiness, peace, health, and kindness. Her email signature spoke to her values: “Happiness is the new rich. Inner Peace is the new success. Health is the new wealth. Kindness is the new cool.” Gayle embodied this motto and brought it to life through her actions and words.
A celebration of Gayle’s remarkable life will take place in the spring, 2025. In her memory, the family invites donations to a cause Gayle would have cherished, such as – American Friends Service Committee, DAR Celebrate Stars & Stripes Forever, AFS Intercultural Programs, or Foundation Communities. Her family and friends find solace in knowing that Heaven has gained another beautiful angel, and her legacy will forever protect and inspire those she leaves behind.
