Leona Dudley

Leona Rose Quarles Dudley was born on August 2, 1926, in Mulhall, Oklahoma to her parents, Mortie Quarles and Clara Swain Quarles. She was the fourth of eleven children born in the family. At birth, she was celebrated in the local newspaper as the largest baby born in Mulhall weighing in at 12 pounds. As a child in a large family, Leona learned to share, especially "bananas." Leona spent most of her childhood growing up in Guthrie, Oklahoma where she attended Favor School until her father followed his work as a Carpenter and moved the family to Roswell, New Mexico. There, Leona worked at JC Penny's, Walker Air Force Base and in a local drug store. Leona met Carl Dudley, who she told that the only place "he could take her was to church." Of course he did, and in 1952, they married. Carl was a native of Colorado and convinced Leona that Colorado would be good for their family and her health. In 1956, they moved to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, Leona and Carl built their family of nine children. Leona loved to cook for family, friends and whoever needed a meal. Leona was taught "that if you learn how to cook, you never have to beg". She cooked from 'scratch' all her cakes, dinner rolls, candy, pizza and an assortment of dishes from her Indian and Mexican influence. To make extra money, Leona did doily repair and arrangement, cake decorating and she ironed clothing for pay. She was active in community organizations, school PTA's and church. After being determined to see that all her children had graduated from high school, Leona herself went back to school and she, graduated from Emily Griffith School receiving her diploma at the age of 45. She was so proud to receive her diploma! Leona was baptized at an early age and was a long time member of the Church of Christ. She truly enjoyed her walk with the Lord and the fellowship shared with her church family. In addition to raising her own children, she also counseled anyone with her gift of gab and assisted friends and their children, taking interest in neighborhood kids or anyone she felt needed to be helped. Ma Dudley was quick to tell a story, give advice or welcome a child into her arms. She was an inspiration and confidant to all of her siblings and a devoted friend. Leona lived to see a legacy of 5 generations. Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Sr.; a daughter Clara "Scoot" Dudley; parents Mortie and Clara Quarles; sisters, Iris; Dorothy; Vivian, and Barbara; and brothers James; William; Mortie, and Ira. Leona Rose Dudley, aged 86, died peacefully on December 8, 2012, at home in Denver, Colorado, after a struggle with heart disease. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include daughters, Gwendolyn Dudley, Wanda Wright (Felix Lee), Carol (Tommy) Pace, Madeline Nealy, Mattie Hill all of Denver and Delores Dudley, Atlanta, GA; son, Carl R Dudley, Jr. of Oakland, CA and step-son, Carl (Ruby) Dudley of Denver, CO; her sister, Viva Rhodes, Chico, CA and her brother, Wyndel "Butch" (Sylvia) Quarles, Seaside, California; 17 grandchildren, Felicia, Vanessa, Tommy, Stacey, Troy, Darnell, Jahmal, Brian, Junaya, Tameka, Shana, Jamilah, Nickiesha, Kimyatta, Wyndel, Brandon, and Jazmine; 40 Great Grandchildren and 7 Great–Great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews; and a number of other relatives and close friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 12/13/2012 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 12/14/2012 at 2:00 PM - Park East Church of Christ - 3500 Forest St, Denver, CO