Dudley, Mary Jane

Mary Jane Dudley, 79, of Dublin, died at New River Valley Medical Center on Friday evening, August 3, 2007.

She was born on January 11, 1928 and her parents were Lee Taylor Dudley and Mary Morgan Dudley. Mary Jane was a graduate of Radford University and a retired employee of Hercules, Inc. She was a life long member of Dublin United Methodist Church, where she was a trustee and served on many committees.

In 1998 she honored her three brothers by having a picnic shelter built on the church property. Mary Jane was active in the Alumni affairs of Radford University and served on the Board of Visitors. She was the first woman appointed to the New River Community College Board and served on the New River Community College Educational Foundation. She supported scholarships at both colleges. She was also a member of the Radford Community Hospital Foundation.

Because of having three mentally challenged brothers, she devoted much time and energy to causes that helped persons with mental retardation. She was a founding member of the New River Valley Community Services Board and served on the Sheltered Workshop Committee.

Our community knows all of the many servant qualities of Mary Jane, but she is best known by most of us as the sister of L.T., Bill and Bobby, all deceased and whom she called her "boys". Mary Jane left a job in Washington D.C. to come home and help with their care. She followed in the steps of her mother, Mary, in nurturing them with a strong hand. She loved each "boy" dearly and to them she was always "sister", never Mary Jane. Her nightly prayer was that she would out live them in order to provide for their care and keep them at home.

The streets and businesses of Dublin and the Dublin United Methodist Church were a major part of these men’s lives. She was proud of the boys and wanted them to enjoy living in our small town. Many folks in Dublin have a Dudley story, a tale about how we interacted with L.T., Bill or Bobby and some people even have a story or two about Mary Jane. Dublin has been blessed by having this family live in our midst. Mary Jane has always been a perfect example of love and devotion for family.

Mary Jane is survived by several cousins and many close friends, including her caregivers and devoted friends, Bill and Sue Thompson-Hubble.

The funeral and worship service for Mary Jane will be held at Dublin United Methodist Church on Monday, August 6, 2007, at 4 p.m. The body will be placed in the church two hours before the service. Following the worship service, a time of fellowship and celebrating of Mary Jane’s life will be held in the church’s Family Life building.

A private committal service will be held at the Dublin Cemetery, at sunset on August 6. In lieu of flowers, Mary Jane requested memorials be made to Dublin United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 577, Dublin, Va., 24084. Family and friends may call at the home of Bill and Sue Thompson-Hubble, 205 3rd. Street, Dublin. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home.