Marlene May Bottorff-Hudson (Watkins) of Cameron, Missouri was welcomed into the presence of her Lord and Savior on August 6th, 2026 at the age of 82. She was born on August 10th,1943 to James Watkins & Adelina Watkins (Parton) in Stewartsville, Missouri. She was the oldest of 7 siblings.
As a teenager, Marlene waitressed at the Rambler in Cameron, Missouri where Ray Bottorff introduced her to his brother Roy Glen Bottorff, who would become her husband of 61 years. She graduated from Stewartsville High School in 1961 & married Roy on August 24th, 1961. In July 1962, Marlene and Roy welcomed their son Michael Alan Bottorff. One of her biggest joys in life was her role as a wife and mother.
Through the years Marlene enjoyed various jobs in the workforce all while managing administrative duties for her husband’s business Bottorff Construction. She worked for the Cameron Citizen-Observer before attending cosmetology school which lead her to open her own beauty shop “Marlene’s Magic Mirror”. She also obtained her real estate license & worked for Prudential Real Estate.
Marlene was a very talented self-taught artist and will be remembered for her work. She painted many murals for businesses in Cameron, which can still be seen today. In 1995, she won the design contest for the logo of the Dekalb county Sesquicentennial.
Among her many interests, Marlene also had a love for history. In her spare time, she enjoyed learning about her family genealogy & local history & was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved people and was a part of various clubs and communities such as Beta Sigma Phi where she enjoyed many activities with her sorority sisters.
After the death of her husband Roy, Marlene found love again when she met Jim Hudson in 2025. The two married in February 2026 at the Kidder Baptist Church.
The most important thing to Marlene was her devotion to Jesus Christ. She walked faithfully with the Lord for decades & our heavy hearts find comfort that she is now at peace in the arms of her Savior.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Hudson & husband Roy Bottorff; brother Tom Watkins and infant sister Jewell Sharlene Watkins; brother in laws, Ray & Ronnie Bottorff; and parents James & Adelina Watkins.
She is survived by her son Mike (Rebecca) Bottorff; grandchildren, Jeff (Lindsey) Bottorff, Crissy Bottorff, and Justin (Cassie) Bottorff all of Cameron, Missouri; great-grandchildren Gavin, Jace, Anna & Michael; siblings Yvonne (Doug) Clark of Claycomo, Missouri. Jim Watkins of St.Joseph, Missouri. KanDee (Dennis) Baker of Portland, Oregon. Shannon (Jennifer) Smith of Savannah, Missouri; brother-in-law Rick (Sandy) Bottorff of Kidder, Missouri; along with many nieces & nephews & her stepchildren.
Services: 1:00 pm, Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Poland-Thompson Chapel.
Visitation: Wednesday evening, August 12 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Burial in Graceland Memorial Cemetery, Cameron, MO.
Online condolence: www.polandthompson.com
Arrangements by Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron, MO.
