Sumner High School Alumni
St Louis, Missouri (MO)
Alumni Stories
Theoplis (Ted) Hudson
Class of 1947
Ted & Zelda Hudson grew up in the Ville area of St. Louis Missouri. They both
graduated from Sumner High School, Ted in 1943 and Zelda in 1947. Ted,
determined to work for himself, asked Zelda's parents for her hand in marriage,
with the promise that he would take care of their daughter by being a business
owner. He first bought moving trucks and was fairly successful in the moving and
appliance business. In 1959 they decided to get into the music business,
selling records (45s and albums}, and eventually tapes & CDs. Many artists from
around the country frequented the store when they performed in St. Louis,
because the Embassy was the main ticket seller in the 60's & 70's. The Embassy
also opened a recoding studio and started producing & marketing new artists.
They began manufacturing and distributing those albums for those artists.
The Hudson's wanted to expand even further so they franchised out a few
more stores around the area. They were instrumental in helping other young
entrepreneurs get started in business. They also helped sponsor an annual Easter
egg hunt every year in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson would lend advice and any
connections they could to anyone who conferred with them about business matters.
The were truly an inspiration to those seeking to enter entreprenuership,
proving that it can be done, and successfully. Their success story has been
featured in Black Enterprise, Jet, and many other nationwide publications & magazines.
They have also been featured in books such as "Lift every Voice and Sing", a
book of collective narratives of successful St. Louis African Americans in the
Twentieth Century (by Wesley, Price, & Morris p.44), "Black Elected Officials" {by
the Joint Center of Political Studies), The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry, (p.5 ), and books by Bernie Hayes & Nelson George.
Ted Hudson went on to become an Alderman in the Ville area. He worked hard
for his ward trying to make changes for the people's comfort and progression.
His wife Zelda, along with their 5 children (all Sumnerites - Randy class 66, Mike '68. Keith '72, Katherine @77, Ted Jr.@79) took complete control of the
business, as he devoted his time to servicing the community. He died March18,
1999 after 52 years of marriage. Mrs. Hudson died in May of 2007. Their children
continue to run the business today, inspiring and encouraging people to step out
of the box, stop talking about their dreams, and make their dreams a reality. They both were a symbol of positive hope.
graduated from Sumner High School, Ted in 1943 and Zelda in 1947. Ted,
determined to work for himself, asked Zelda's parents for her hand in marriage,
with the promise that he would take care of their daughter by being a business
owner. He first bought moving trucks and was fairly successful in the moving and
appliance business. In 1959 they decided to get into the music business,
selling records (45s and albums}, and eventually tapes & CDs. Many artists from
around the country frequented the store when they performed in St. Louis,
because the Embassy was the main ticket seller in the 60's & 70's. The Embassy
also opened a recoding studio and started producing & marketing new artists.
They began manufacturing and distributing those albums for those artists.
The Hudson's wanted to expand even further so they franchised out a few
more stores around the area. They were instrumental in helping other young
entrepreneurs get started in business. They also helped sponsor an annual Easter
egg hunt every year in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson would lend advice and any
connections they could to anyone who conferred with them about business matters.
The were truly an inspiration to those seeking to enter entreprenuership,
proving that it can be done, and successfully. Their success story has been
featured in Black Enterprise, Jet, and many other nationwide publications & magazines.
They have also been featured in books such as "Lift every Voice and Sing", a
book of collective narratives of successful St. Louis African Americans in the
Twentieth Century (by Wesley, Price, & Morris p.44), "Black Elected Officials" {by
the Joint Center of Political Studies), The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry, (p.5 ), and books by Bernie Hayes & Nelson George.
Ted Hudson went on to become an Alderman in the Ville area. He worked hard
for his ward trying to make changes for the people's comfort and progression.
His wife Zelda, along with their 5 children (all Sumnerites - Randy class 66, Mike '68. Keith '72, Katherine @77, Ted Jr.@79) took complete control of the
business, as he devoted his time to servicing the community. He died March18,
1999 after 52 years of marriage. Mrs. Hudson died in May of 2007. Their children
continue to run the business today, inspiring and encouraging people to step out
of the box, stop talking about their dreams, and make their dreams a reality. They both were a symbol of positive hope.
Recent Members
| Carnell Earvin | 1972 |
| Carol Hall-whittier | 1971 |
| Darlene Thomas | 1976 |
| Doris Love | 1972 |
| Everlena N | 1992 |
| Lurline Short | 1975 |
| Tabitha Monique Cannon Tabitha Monique Cannon | 1990 |
| Virdie Mae Bell | 1938 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Sumner High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Bulldogs lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Do you have a fun holiday story or a great family tradition? Share them with our fellow Sumner High School alumni! Submit your own stories, achievements and photos in our Alumni Stories section. Read other classmate’s stories and see what they have been up to over the years.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!