To all our friends, colleagues, church family and well-wishers: We deeply appreciate your benevolence and support during this time.

Your prayers, cards, calls, food, flowers, visits, and your presence with us today mean so very, very much. Thank you for caring.

Lovingly submitted by Etta, Bonita, Charles, Albert, and the Dudley Family

Pallbearers Kevin Hatchett ! H. P. Sterling ! Michael Paschal ! Donald Choice ! Fred Pullins ! Oliver Moore

Flower Bearers Honorary Pallbearers Riverside Ladies Ministerial Alliance

Sincere Thanks to: The Caterers

Claire Benson ! Carl Tidwell ! Lorine Taylor ! Eileen Lester ! Valerie Ross

The Technical Support Riverside Audio-Visual Team ! Gary Saunders, CEO – Praize Vision ! Lee Ford – Razor Edge

En lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Charles E. Dudley Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Boulevard NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35806.

Interment Monday, April 26 @ 11:00 a.m.

Oakwood Memorial Gardens ! Huntsville, Alabama

Final Arrangements Entrusted to: Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors

2500 Clarksville Highway · Nashville, Tennessee 37208 · (615) 255-2371

Richard A. Lewis, Director · William H. Wright (Deceased) · Richard A. Lewis II · Michael A. Lewis · Delmas Bogus, Embalmer · Boyce Wilkins, Escort

Riverside Chapel Printing – Nashville, TN Program Layout & design by Michael Paschal & ! ZÜtÑ{|vá tÜx fÉ ftäÉ|Ü@yt|Üx4 „ IDHBEEK@LGID

“Jesus Led Me All The Way”

Dr. Charles Edward Dudley, Sr.February 1, 1927 – April 18, 2010

Tribute to a Legend Sunday, April 25, 2010 12:00 noon

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Pastor Furman F. Fordham II, Officiant Dr. Charles E. Bradford, Eulogist

Jesus led me all the way.

My name is Charles Edward Dudley, Sr. I’d like to share my life’s story with you, if that’s alright... I was born February 1, 1927 in South Bend, Indiana. My parents were Joseph and Julia Dudley. My grandparents were among the original 16 freed slaves who established the Thomas Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in Hickman, Kentucky. At the end of World War I, my parents moved to South Bend and were among the founding fathers of the Grace African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Dad died when I was 6 years old, so Momma raised me pretty much by herself. My older siblings, Gaynes, Lucille, Alfred and Martha, were quite instrumental in my growing-up process. When I was about 9, Momma was introduced to the Seventh-day Adventist message by some folks who demonstrated the love of Jesus through ministering to the needs of our family. You see, after Dad died, other folks tried to split up the family because they thought it would be too much for Momma to handle by herself. But my dear mother refused to let that happen, and the Adventists saw to it that we had food and clothes and made it possible to keep the family together. As a young boy, I thought some of the “ways” of this new-found faith were a bit strange: Church on Saturday? Well, “anyway, anyhow” we soon joined the Berean Adventist Church in South Bend. After my brother Gaynes, a Methodist minister who converted to the Adventist ministry, died in 1938, I made a commitment to spread the gospel. Gaynes’ purpose in life was to stay On the Battlefield For My Lord. I was determined to make it mine also and take up where he left off. I attended a public high school in South Bend, but after graduating from there, my heart’s desire was to attend the college I had heard

so much about - Oakwood in Huntsville, Alabama. I really wanted to be like Gaynes, and become a minister. So Jesus made a way throughout my years at Oakwood, and I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology in 1947. While there, I met a lovely young lady named Etta Mae Maycock, who became my life’s partner on December 28th of that same year. We were blessed with three children: Bonita, Charles II, and Albert.

While at Oakwood, I was a member of the College Quartet, along with my schoolmates Charles Graham, Lucius Daniels and Lee Paschal – all ministers – who traveled, singing and raising money for Oakwood College. In years that followed, I received 3 honorary doctoral degrees, including one from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

“Sw’art” and I began our ministry in the South Central Conference pastoring in Tennessee and continued our 19-year pastoral journey in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas. The thirty-one and a half years God blessed me as President of the South Central Conference in Nashville, Tennessee were directly led by the Holy Spirit.

As my life ends, my great-granddaughter’s life begins…

Avery Lianna Dudley Born March 23, 2010

~ My Family ~

During the South Central years, Sw’art and I were blessed with conviction to “adopt” and educate three additional children from the regions of Africa: Benson, Edmund (with wife Averil), and Seth. What a blessing they and their children have been in our lives! After retiring, Jesus inspired me to write 3 Books: Thou Who Hath Brought Us…, The Genealogy of Ellen Gould Harmon White, and Thou Who Hast Brought Us Thus Far On Our Way. I was not able to finish my fourth book, Jesus Led Me All the Way before God put me to sleep, but perhaps you’ll get the full picture in these few pages.

I am looking forward to the resurrection when I can see those I’ve left behind: my faithful wife Etta, my dear sister Lucille, my daughter Bonita (Joseph), my sons Charles II (Deborah) and Albert I (Nancy); my five grandchildren, Nikki, Albie (Jessica), Karee, Chaz and Kevin; my new little great-granddaughter Avery; my adopted sons Benson (Annette), Edmund (Averil) and Seth (Teresa), and my adopted grandchildren Peter, Rachel, Helene (Lee), Nicki, Charlie, and Jessica; my nieces Carolyn (James), Carol, Felice (Eric), Kim (Herb), Cynthia, Sylvia Kay, Toni Sue, Sharon, Kathy, and Konnetta; my nephews Philip (Ingrid), Leon, Gerry, and Michael Paschal; my cousin Genieve (Jimmy); my sister-in-law Audrey and brother-in-law Harold; and dear friends Dorris Merideth-Hill, Joe and Judy Dent. There are so many more relatives and close friends, I just find it difficult to name them all. I know you’ll understand… But I plan to see you when we all get to heaven! I want to see Jesus, don’t you? – What a day of rejoicing that will be!

~ ~ ~ Elder Charles D. Brooks is quoted, saying, “Dr. Charles E. Dudley has literally given his life to the Lord and to the Lord’s work. He is a leader of many great accomplishments. His progressive work, unfailing productivity and graceful life are a consistent Christian witness. His unsinkable confidence in God, his persistent optimism, his undying hope in and for our people have made him a beacon of light who inspires confidence and good will. He has borne bravely the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, the ugly hostility of racism and, through it all, he has lit candles rather than curse the darkness. His head is never bowed.”

The Order of Service FAMILY HOUR – SLIDE SHOW MUSICAL PRELUDE Mrs. Gale Jones Murphy

Mr. Brian Jones

PROCESSIONAL (Clergy & Family) Elder Helvius Thompson, Liturgist

PRAYER OF COMFORT Pastor Furman Fordham II

“My Favorite Scripture” – (Matthew 28:18-20) Elder Robert Lister

MUSICAL SELECTION – “I Shall Wear A Crown” Mass Choir of Area Churches

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mrs. Paula Major

FAMILY APPRECIATION PRESENTER Mr. Philip Palmer

LIFE SKETCH VIDEO PRESENTATION Mr. Cedric Thomison

“My Journey Began…” (TRIBUTES) Elder Fred N. CroweElder George Earle

Elder Robert Woodfork

MUSICAL SELECTION – “It Is Well With My Soul” Dr. Diana Poe(accompanied by Ms. Shirley Cody)

“My Children” (TRIBUTES) Ms. Kahlima DudleyMs. Kareema Dudley

Dr. Benson MugemancuroElder Edmund JuliusMr. Charles Dudley II

MUSICAL SELECTION – “Just Be There” Mrs. Jennifer Fordham

“My Beloved Institutions” (TRIBUTES)

Riverside Hospital/Adv. Health Sys.: Mr. Womack RuckerOakwood College/University: Dr. Delbert Baker

Message Magazine: Dr. Washington JohnsonSouthern Union Conference of SDA: Dr. Ron Smith

North American Division of SDA: Dr. Alvin Kibble

“My Favorite Medley” (Lucie Campbell, composer) Mrs. Gale Jones Murphy

The Order of Service continues…

“My Friends Along the Way” (TRIBUTES) Mr. Richard A. LewisElder Donnel Morgan

Elder Steve RuffElder Victor Brooks

Mr. Richard Penniman

MUSICAL SELECTION – “Until Then” Mr. Duane Hamilton

“My Presidential Protégés” (TRIBUTES) Dr. Charles JosephDr. Henry Wright

Elder Joseph McCoyElder Benjamin Browne

Elder Dana Edmond

MUSICAL SELECTION – “No More Goodbyes” The Wilson Sisters

“And While I Was Sick, Jesus Provided Care Through…” (TRIBUTES)

Mr. Danny ThompsonMs. Carol Leatherman

Caregivers

“My Favorite Song” – “Jesus Led Me All the Way” Mrs. Judy Dent

EULOGY Dr. Charles E. Bradford

MUSICAL SELECTION – “So Send I You - Medley” Elder T. Marshall Kelly

BENEDICTION Elder Isaac Lester

CONGREGATIONAL SONG – “When We All Get To Heaven” Mrs. Gale Jones Murphy

Music CoordinatorGale Jones Murphy

Ministerial Honour GuardElder Benjamin Jones, Coordinator

Service CoordinatorDonna Harrison

“Someday life’s journey will be o’er, And I shall reach that distant shore; I’ll sing while ent’ring heaven’s door, JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY.

“If God should let me there review, The winding paths of earth I knew, It would be proven clear and true - JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY.

“And hither to my Lord hath led, Today He guides each step I tread; And soon in heav’n it will be said, JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY.

“Jesus led me all the way, Led me step by step each day; I will tell the saints and angels As I lay my burdens down,

“JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY.”