Peggy Wiseman Hudson, co-founder of a Calico Rock nursing center and a lifelong historian of Calico Rock, passed away at the age of 91, on Dec. 15.
According to a statement from the Calico Rock Museum and Visitors Center, Hudson spent her formative years at the Wiseman Hotel on Main Street, where her parents, Tip and Retha Wiseman, managed the busy property.
In 1952, Hudson married Elmer Dean Hudson, a local educator who later became superintendent of the Mountain Home School District. Together, they raised two children, Dean Jr. and Joni, and co-founded White River Healthcare & Rehab in 1967. Borrowing $98,000, the couple established the nursing facility on a hill overlooking the White River and the Ozark Mountains.
Hudson served as the facility’s first administrator, later earning her nursing degree to better understand and support patient care. When her husband retired in 1975, she transitioned to hands-on caregiving while he took over administrative duties. The family-owned business remains one of the few of its kind in Arkansas, spanning four generations.
Beyond her work in healthcare, Hudson was instrumental in preserving Calico Rock’s historic downtown. She and her husband spearheaded efforts to restore the town’s aging buildings. Even as her health declined, she continued to support revitalization efforts from home.
Hudson’s contributions extended to the Calico Rock Museum & Visitors Center, where she played a behind-the-scenes role as a historian, consultant, and editor. Her living room served as a hub for community planning and discussions, often accompanied by her freshly baked cookies.
“She never stopped loving Calico Rock,” the museum shared in the statement. “She was the greatest cheerleader this town has ever known.”
Known for her warmth and generosity, Hudson also hosted dignitaries, including a future U.S. president, then-Gov. Bill Clinton, at her riverfront home. She was an avid traveler, skilled baker, and devoted caregiver whose motto, “We care for those you care for,” continues to guide the family business.
Featured image: Roller Crouch
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