Thelma Small Dudley, was born May 24, 1928 in DeBerry, Texas to the late Julia and Benjamin Small. She was the third of six children, Travis, and Ethel who both preceded her in death; Eunice, Molly, and then Joan Yvonne who also preceded her in death. She was educated in East Texas graduating from Pemberton High School and then earning her Bachelor's Degree from Bishop College. She received Christ at an early age and started her walk with the Lord at St. Mary Baptist Church.
She moved to Chicago Illinois and married Leander Dudley Sr. To this union three children were born. Deborah Ann, Leander (Buddy), and Annette. She continued her Christian education serving as an usher at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church until she moved back to Texas. She then joined Bexar Street Baptist Church where she continued to serve on the usher board.
Thelma taught multiple generations of children for the Chicago Public School System for almost 40 years. Her Nathaniel Pope School family shared many treasured moments together. There were new births, graduations, and weddings as all of the teachers watched each other's children grow up. She loved her neighbors and all of her Small cousins that received her with open arms when she arrived in Chicago. She was especially close to James Small. This was her Chicago family.
When Thelma moved to Lancaster, TX. She continued to make new friends by joining the Lancaster Senior Center. She loved going there daily where she taught many of the women there the art of quilting. She loved going on all of the local trips with them. Bingo was her game.
Hymn singing was one of her most favorite things to do. She and her sisters could start at the beginning of the hymn book and work their way to the end. Her last few
weeks with us continued to be full of hymn singing. The older the hymn, the better.
She leaves to cherish her memory, the objects of her affection,
her children. Deborah Ann Dudley, Leander Dudley Jr. and
Annette Dudley Wiggins. The charge to keep her legacy going
are to her grandchildren; Sarita Annette Dudley (whom she raised)
James Robinson, Antinique Jones, Justin Gray, Isis LeShae Dudley,
Harvey Christian and Travis Wiggins. Her great grandchildren,
Ragan Nixon, John Skinner, Kaliyah Jones, Kylcie and Briah Gray,
and Jahir Summerfield will miss her much. She leaves to mourn her
memory her sisters Eunice Gray (Eddie) and
Mollie Gray (Claude who preceded her in death).
She also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
in-laws, caregivers and friends.
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