Joe L. Dudney

Joe L. Dudney-Age 91, welcomed into eternal life Tuesday, June 24, 2014. A caring and energetic husband, father, and friend, Joe Dudney took his responsibilities as head of his family seriously. "He was our rock and our guiding force," say his daughter and grandchildren. His devotion to his wife, Doris, was unfailing as he cared for her during her lengthy last illness. "He has always been a tower of strength to us and his many friends." Joe Dudney was born near Gainesboro, TN, and was educated in the public schools of Jackson County and at David Lipscomb College in Nashville. He returned to Jackson County, where he was a charter member of the Farm Bureau and served as its president. While owning and operating seed corn and farm supply businesses, he became a charter member of the Jackson County Livestock Assn. and served as its president through 1963. During this time, he pioneered a modern hog- feeding business, selling and shipping feeder pigs to the Midwest. In 1964 he became the chief inspector for the Tennessee Crop Improvement Association, the seed certification agency for the state, for production of all field crop seeds statewide. Later serving the TCIA as manager, secretary and treasurer, he retired in 1991. In a lifetime full of purpose and service, Joe Dudney's "retirement" years became his greatest achievement. As Vice President, Executive Director, and Board member of Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc., Joe worked tirelessly to realize the organization's multi-million dollar mission to assist victims of natural disasters throughout the United States, supplying necessities to thousands whose lives had been devastated by floods, tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. In doing this, CCDRE also fulfilled its larger mission-to demonstrate Christian principles in action to the people it helps. Joe and Doris's involvement in the Church began in Jennings Creek Valley in Jackson County, TN, where they grew up attending the Whitleyville Church of Christ. Doris and Joe were both baptized in Jennings Creek. They married in 1946. After moving to Nashville in 1967, Joe and Doris Dudney were active members of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. He served there as a deacon and as an elder for 21 years, with an emphasis on missions. Among the most successful of the missions of that era was the assistance given the church in Thomasville, NC, which eventually became a thriving, self- supporting congregation. Hanging on a wall of the Dudneys' home were a number of plaques that recognized Joe's contributions to organizations he was associated with - the Nashville Civitan Club and the Disaster Relief Effort, among others. In 2010, Joe was honored by Lipscomb University with its KOPIO Award for "distinguished service for the kingdom of God." But the plaques that brought the biggest smiles to his face were those that marked his involvement with Brentwood Hills young people: manager of the League Champion BHCC softball team; BHCC Camp Leatherwood Hall of Fame; and the biggest smile of all, the plaque from the children of Brentwood Hills in appreciation for "The Gum Man." For many years, every child-and some adults-made it their mission to be the first to reach Joe after worship services to claim a stick of gum from his never-ending supply. Joe Dudney is survived by his daughter, Linda Dudney, Nashville; granddaughters, Sarah Glenn Brown, Clarksville, & Julia Meadows, Nashville; great-grandchildren Alexis Meadows, Elizabeth Brown & Jacob Dudney Brown; and brother, Neil Dudney, Smithville. He was preceded in death by Doris Dudney, his beloved wife of 65 years; parents, Lyman & Ruby Birdwell Dudney; and brother, Clark Dudney. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, June 26 from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. and Friday, June 27 from 10:00 A.M .to Noon at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike, Nashville. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon led by Walt Leaver, Jonathan Seamon & Clarence Dailey. The service will be streamed live at noon on Friday (www.brentwoodhills.org and click BHCC TV). On Saturday, June 28 the family will receive visitors at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home from 11 A.M. until time of service at 2 P.M. Bro. Dan Huffines and Joe's first cousins will officiate at the service. Burial will follow at the Rob Draper Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort by contacting the business office of Anderson-Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Funeral Home Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home, Inc. 2131 S. Grundy Quarles Hwy. P.O. Box 398 Gainesboro TN - 38562 US 931-268-1550 931-268-1552