John M. Dudley

1937 - 2022

John M. Dudley

February 17, 1937 - August 28, 2022

Mr. John "Johnny" M. Dudley, 85, of Smiths Station, AL, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Piedmont Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, GA.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Eastern, Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Crawford Baptist Church, 4503 US Hwy 80, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Steve Williamson officiating. Interment will follow at Crawford Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Eastern, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL.

Mr. Dudley was born February 17, 1937 in Phenix City, AL, son of the late Menza M. Dudley and Maud Findlater Dudley in Lee County, AL. He was raised in Crawford, AL and was a member of Crawford Baptist Church. Johnny attended Dixie Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1954. He then attended A. P. I. (Auburn University) graduating in 1958. After college Johnny attended Mercer Law School for a year and a half before joining the National Guard, where he was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon his return to Russell County, AL, he bought Calhoun Lumber Co. located on Brickyard Road when he was 23 years old. Several years later he changed the name to Phenix Lumber Co. and relocated it to its present location on Cutrate road, where it is still in operation after 62 years.

He was instrumental in the formation of Glenwood School. In 1966 he was elected to the Board of Phenix-Girard Bank, later serving as Chairman of the Board.

Recently, he was honored by Notasulga High School in Macon County, AL, where they named their new athletic complex after him. Johnny was a kind, generous, unassuming and humble man. He enjoyed helping people in any way he could. Johnny cherished the Crawford community and all of his family and friends that lived there. Most of all, he loved his family and was extremely proud of all of them. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Dudley Brooke.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Leslie Sudduth Dudley of Smiths Station, AL; a daughter, Leslie E. Dudley of Smiths Station, AL; a son, Menza Dudley and wife Jackie of Smiths Station, AL; a sister, Jean Johnson and husband Al of Phenix City, AL; grandchildren, John Daniel Greene, Dudley E. Greene, Brooks Greene, J. Menza Dudley III, Jackson M. Dudley, J. Max Dudley and J. Mason Dudley; several nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and special cousins, Wesley Capps and Berry Dudley.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Crawford Baptist Church in Mr. Dudley's memory.

Condolences may be left online at www.vancebrooksfuneralhome.net