Deacon Earl B. Dudley

Earl B. Dudley was born on January 26, 1919, in Caroline County, Virginia. He went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 17, 2008. He was the son of the late James and Annie Coleman Dudley of Milford, Virginia.

Earl attended the Caroline County Public Schools and was a decorated veteran of World War II. He was a dedicated employee at the FMC Corporation in Fredericksburg, Virginia, from which he retired after thirty-two years of service. He went on to work for five more years for the State Department and finally, the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging as a van driver.

At an early age, Earl joined and became an active member of the St. John Baptist Church in Milford, Virginia, under the leadership of Rev. C.A. Lindsey. He was ordained a deacon and was among other things, a member of both the Senior Choir and the Male Chorus. Later, he moved his membership to the Ebenezer Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Richmond, Virginia, under the leadership of Bishop Benjamin Lewis. There he was baptized in the Name of Jesus and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He continued to work diligently on the Deacons' Board and was the Director of the Ebenezer Men's Chorus for several years. He was also instrumental in organizing and participating in many church related programs and events.

In 1997, Earl became a member of the True Deliverance Church in Bowling Green, Virginia, pastored by his son, District Elder James Dudley. He remained a faithful and spirited member until his death.

Earl truly enjoyed serving the Lord and was quite proficient at expounding on the scriptures. Even when his health began to fail, he persevered in the church, serving in whatever capacity he could.

Earl was a family man and a ''people'' person. He relished his friendships from Caroline to Richmond and points beyond. Most of all, he provoked laughter. He often coined humorous phrases that were unique to him. One that he often used to announce his entrance into a room was, ''It's a man in the house.'' When confronted with any type of negative challenge, one of his more serious phrases was ''I know a man.'' He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be sincerely missed for his humble spirit, his lighthearted demeanor and his devotion to God.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of sixty years, Mary Dudley; four sons, Earl(Marcia) of Ladysmith, Va.; James(Sharon) of Woodford, Va.; Raynard of Fredericksburg, Va and Alban(Maranda) of Dahlgren, Va.; five daughters, Jackie Brooks(Freddie) of Dahlgren, Va., Doris Williams(Pierpont), Brenda Wilson(Kenneth) and Joan Dudley, all of Ruther Glen, Va and Jean Dudley of Woodford, Va.; one brother, Alfonso Dudley of Milford, Va.; one sister, Dorothy Gilmore of Temple Hills, Md.; one devoted cousin, Howard Coleman of Philadelphia, Pa.; nineteen grandchildren, one (Darnell Williams) who preceded him in death; thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535