Dudley, Melvin Morris

Melvin M. Dudley, 87, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2007 at Montgomery Regional Hospital after a long illness.

He was retired from Virginia Tech Electric Service with 28 years of service. He was devoted to his family and friends and never met a stranger. Melvin served his country during World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps and was awarded a bronze star for his service in the Southern Pacific campaign.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harry C. and Pearl H. Dudley; brothers, Elmer, Harry and Charlie Dudley; and sisters, Alice Swinney and Thelma Swinney. He shared 67 years of unwavering love, loyalty and devotion with his surviving wife, Helen E. Dudley.

Also surviving are his children, Carolyn DeHart and husband, Edgar, Morris Dudley and wife, Maxine, Margaret Preston and husband, Donnie and Evelyn Ratcliffe. He is also survived by grandchildren, Chip DeHart, Stephanie Carrico, Don Preston, Brian Ratcliffe and Christina Dudley and great grandchildren. His sisters, Vera Wrenn and Helen Durham also survive him.

A special thanks to Dr. John White and Scott Boerth for their assistance and services.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg, Va.