RUTHIE MAE DUDLEY,

was born June 3, 1934, in England, Arkansas, to Albert Lafayette (Fate) and Lettie Manning Crump and left this earthly home on August 23, 2021. She was received into heaven by her parents, husband, Charles Floyd Dudley, her siblings, Vivian, Marie, Alton, Homer, Louis, Velma, Effie, and Shirley, along with numerous nephews, nieces, and family friends. She leaves behind her daughters, Teresa Leslie (Terry) and Cindy Biram (Dean), one grandchild, David Sawatski of Arizona, four brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and more extra family than anyone can name.

The Dudleys moved from Little Rock to East End in May of 1984 and soon won the hearts of the community. Mr. Charlie gardened and was affectionately known as the “Tomato Man”. Mrs. Ruthie kept children in her home for over 50 years and became each family’s extra mother and grandmother. She had a special touch in the kitchen and her babies would eat things she made only to refuse the same thing at home. Her special oatmeal is still a mystery, and we know it is only because it was made by her hands. As those little ones grew up and started school, she would continue to attend birthday parties and was a frequent visitor to East End Elementary Grandparent’s Day celebrations.

Her family enjoyed many delicious meals created by her hands. Her special Banana pudding was a much-anticipated treat at church potlucks, both at East End Baptist and Bingham Road Baptist Church. In her younger days, she often created the favorite Fried Fish dinner with fish caught by Mr. Charlie and her scratch hush puppies. As they moved into their older years, they ate at Abe’s Old Feedhouse every Thursday night with Owen and Margie. It soon became a meeting spot for many family and friends and the table grew from a simple 4-top to multiple tables strung together. She enjoyed playing games after dinner, her favorite being dominoes. “Chicken Tracks” was her specialty and while not many could beat her, she loved teaching the children and never turned down a game of dominoes.

In her final days in the hospital with visits being limited because of Covid-19 restrictions, her daughters continued to share her with others. Cindy would hold her phone up to Mrs. Ruthie so they could say their final “I love you”. In her sweet but weak voice she would respond “I love you too!” Little did they know, Cindy and Teresa were cringing watching the monitors. Every time she spoke her oxygen levels would drop and her blood pressure would go up. Even her goodbyes were a labor of love.

Visitation will be Friday, August 27, at East End Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. A celebration of her life will be Saturday, August 28, at East End Baptist Church at 1 p.m., followed by interment at Apple Hill Cemetery in Ward, Arkansas. Her daughters ask that, in Ruthie’s honor, everyone wear something bright and cheerful to her celebration. Online guestbook: www.smithfamilycares.com.