Jefferson Franklin Dudley

Jefferson (Jeff) Dudley, 78, of Garner, NC, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 3, 1947, in Stella, NC, Jeff was the youngest of four children born to Levy and Katie Dudley. Growing up on a farm, Jeff developed a strong work ethic that would serve him well the rest of his life. In high school, he enthusiastically threw himself into a wide variety of activities, football, basketball, baseball, marching band, and drama. His most notable role in the school's theatrical productions was as the king in "The King and I."

After high school, Jeff attended East Carolina University where he would eventually earn a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Guidance and Counselling. Jeff walked on to the ECU football team, both because he loved the sport and because his place on the team afforded him valuable meal tickets. He played three years at wide receiver, and then moved to defense his senior year where he played safety. By his own telling, during those years as wide receiver, he couldn't catch anything; and then when he switched to safety, he caught everything. He still holds the record (tied with other former players) for the most interceptions in a game. When he would share this story, he always said, "I had three, but I should have had five." Always humble. Always hungry. The heart of a Pirate.

While at ECU, Jeff experienced two life changing events. During his sophomore year, Jeff met Beverly Bolton, a cheerleader and former swimmer from Richmond, VA, who would become his loving wife of almost 57 years. Jeff and Bev shared an interest in learning about God and His Word, and they spent many Sundays "church shopping", searching for the truth that they hungered for. In the spring of 1969, they enrolled in a class called "Power for Abundant Living", and the truth of God's Word came alive for them in a way it never had before. This class set the course for the rest of their lives. They married on August 16, 1969, and spent the next several years living all over the country, working during the day and teaching Bible fellowships and classes out of their home in the evening.

After nine years of marriage, Jeff and Bev settled down in Greenville/Farmville, NC, where they began to raise their three daughters. In 1987, the family relocated to Garner, NC. Wherever they were living, Jeff and Bev always continued to host Bible fellowships and run Bible classes. Jeff was an involved, fun, and loving father. He taught his girls to play baseball ("Watch the ball hit the bat."), to catch a football, and to shoot a basketball. He cheered them on at swim meets, cheerleading competitions, choral concerts, and theatrical productions. When Tracey, his oldest, auditioned for a community production of "Lil' Abner", he auditioned, too, so that they could share the experience. When his girls were sick, he was the most tender, loving, patient nurse, even sleeping next to hospital beds when necessary. As they grew into adulthood, his steady presence never changed. He was a doting grandfather who loved boogie boarding in the ocean, playing tag, driving kids to practices or taking them on adventures, and, of course, talking to them about God's Word. From lending his muscle for house moves, to babysitting grandbabies, to questions about God and His Word, and so much more. Whenever they needed him, he was always there.

Jeff worked for several companies throughout his career, but spent most of his time as a sales representative with Sherwin Williams. Although he was a successful salesman, Jeff's favorite thing was always teaching, studying, and talking about God's Word. Most conversations with Jeff would lead back to the scriptures, what he was studying that was exciting to him, what he was learning, some truths he wanted to share that related to whatever was being discussed. God's Word, those words of life, were never old and dull to him, but exciting, fresh, and powerful. His heart was always to bring others to an accurate knowledge of God and his son Jesus Christ. For those reading this message, he would want you to know.

God loves you. (Romans 5:8, John 3:16)

Salvation is free and available to all. (Ephesians 2:8-9, I Timothy 2:3-4)

You are forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)

You are never alone. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

You are a super conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

Death is not the end. We have a hope for a future eternity because of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who fall asleep, so that you are not grieved as the others who have no hope.

Moreover, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so we believe that God by means of Jesus will bring those who have fallen asleep with him.

Moreover, we say this to you by the word of the Lord that we who remain alive until the coming of the lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep,

Because the lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who remain alive will be snatched up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air, and so shall we always be with the lord.

Wherefore encourage one another with these words.

I Corinthians 15:51-58

Behold, I tell you a mystery. Not all of us will fall asleep, but we shall all be changed

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. In fact, the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Moreover, it is necessary for this corruptible one to be clothed with incorruptibility and for this mortal one to be clothed in immortality.

When this corruptible one is clothed with incorruptibility and this mortal one is clothed with immortality, then the Word that has been written will come to pass: (Isaiah 25:8) "Death was swallowed up in victory."

(Hosea 13:14) "Oh death, where is your stinger? Oh state of death, where is your victory?"

The stinger of the death is the sin, and the power of the sin is the law,

But thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, become steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your hard labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Beverly Dudley; his children, Tracey (Joseph) Walls, Heather (Bailey) Pope, and Jennifer (Mike) Hoehle; and his 10 grandchildren, Cassidy, Lily, Finn, Jordan, Summer, Eli, Emerson, Alexander, Anthony, and Landon.

At Jeff's request, no memorial services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the church, bible fellowship, or other Christian organization of your choice dedicated to the movement of God's Word.