John Russell Dudley

JR Dudley went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. He was born to Russell and Mary Dudley on September 23, 1927 and lived a full life of love and dedication to God, family, community, and country. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Mary Maudine Thrash Dudley,

five children and eight grandchildren:

John & Julia Dudley (Raleigh, North Carolina), Liz Dudley (Meridian),

Ben & Mary Dudley (Scooba - Sarah, Anna, Libba & Jeana),

Denise & Paul Roberts (Meridian - Russell & Abby), and

Joanna & Joe Hebert (Hurst, Texas - Jennifer & Jessica).

JR was a 1949 graduate of Mississippi State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. JR taught at East Mississippi Community College where he served as Baptist Student Union director.

He was a lifelong resident of Kemper County where he owned and operated

Lazy D cattle farm with his son, Ben.

JR faithfully served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Scooba Baptist Church for over 60 years. He was an active member of Mississippi Farm Bureau serving as president of Kemper County Farm Bureau for more than 29 years. He was also a member of the Cattleman’s Association, the Soil and Water Conservation District, school board member and numerous other community organizations often in leadership roles.

If ever there was a man who lived what he said he believed, it was

JR Dudley. He was a man of integrity, honesty, dedication, wisdom, commitment and perseverance. His life was a testimony of his love for the Lord and his unswerving faith and assurance of salvation through Christ. He will be lovingly remembered by family and friends as one who truly believed in the hope of eternity with Christ Jesus.

The home going celebration for JR Dudley will be held Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Scooba Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall with funeral service to follow at 2:00pm in the church. Burial will be at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Scooba immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to:

Scooba Baptist Church, P.O. Box 98, Scooba, MS 39358