Ruby Dudley

Ruby Lee Dudley, 89, of Benton Harbor passed away Saturday, September 10, 2016, peacefully at home. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 12 PM at Highland Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2075 Highland, Benton Harbor, with Pastors Zebron Ncube and Donald Bedney officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 11 AM until the time of the service at the church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com She was born in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois and relocated to Benton Harbor at an early age. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and Twin City Business College with a degree in Secretarial Science. She retired from Benton Harbor Area Schools with over 20 years of employment. Ruby was passionate about music and enjoyed singing.  She studied cake decorating and utilized her skills in decorating her “famous cakes” for friends and family. Her quiet strength, kindness and compassion will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Helping others and being charitable were her gifts and a lifelong gratifying source of purpose and enjoyment. She was a devout member of Highland Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church.  A women of strong faith, she was a prayer warrior and she was actively involved in church auxiliary groups and functions. She outreached to others through her card ministry, providing cheer, encouragement and support. She strove to live by Mark 12: 30-31:, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart…” She is survived by her four children; Craig Dudley of Houston, TX,  Kerry Dudley (Caroline) of Sterling, VA,  Michele Rumph of Houston, TX and Sandra Dudley of Benton Harbor, MI;  9 grandchildren, Lisa Gulley, Adreanne Dudley, Jakia Dudley, Patrick (Sarai) Rumph, Eric Rumph, Kerry Dudley II, Mykaila Dudley, Hideko Dudley, Kyrena Dudley;  four great-grandchildren, Mason Gulley, Miles Gulley, Alivia Buckner and Izabella Dudley; godchildren, Daphne Gibson and Sarah Jackson; special cousins, Roy and Elaine Shoemaker, Aileen Kimble, June Kinard; and special friends, Ora Sanders and Edith Woods. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, James Dudley to whom she was married to for over 55 years. James and Ruby were lifelong residents of Benton Harbor.