The funeral service for Deacon Thomas “Pal” Dudley, who was Dillon County’s oldest living veteran before he passed away at the age of 101, was held on Saturday, conducted by Prestige Funeral Home.
Dudley was born on January 27, 1924 to the late Harry James and Clara Peterkin Dudley. He departed this earthly life on February 18, 2025 surrounded by loving family at McLeod Medical Center in Dillon.
Dudley was a World War II veteran and community leader. He was the oldest living veteran in Dillon County. He was the second black policeman in the City of Dillon.He operated a gas station and body shop, and he ran a store selling vegetables, which he also did in his later years.
He was a member of Euclid Lodge No. 19. He was a devoted member and deacon at Friendship Baptist Church, was one of its founders, and was the only surviving charter member.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Thomasina Grice; three grandsons, Patrick, Tyrone, and Montrese; seven siblings, Amanda, Harold, Georgianna, Tommie Jane, Colon, Sr., Inez, and Teresa.
He leaves to mourn his passing two daughters, Kathleen Dudley of Atlantic City, NC, and Wanda Brown of Fredericksburg, Va.; two sons, Thomas Dudley, Jr., of Atlantic City, NC and Kevin Wayne Dudley (Daffinette) of Rolesville, NC; a sister, Evelyn D. Bethea of Stamford, CT; two brothers, Robert Dudley (Rachel) and James Willie Adams (Geraldine) of Dillon, S.C.; 17 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The service opened with a prelude by the musicians as the clergy and family proceeded into the New Saint Mark Church, where the funeral was held. The Old Testament is Rev. DeLen McRae. The New Testament is Rev. Anita Dudley. The prayer was by Deacon Walter Dudley. A solo was then sung by Ronnie Dudley.
Remarks were given by his son, Keving Dudley; Robert Dudley and James Adams, brothers; Barbara Johnson, Friendship Baptist Church; and Mary John Fields of the Little Rock community.
A poem was read by Delores McRae Augustus.
Dora McDuffie gave the acknowledgements and obituary. Kathleen Dudley sang a solo. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Roanell Hough, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church. This was followed by the committals and benediction and the mortician’s brief by Prestige Funeral Home.
The recessional and finaly viewsing were by clergy, family, and friends.
Interment will take place on Monday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at Florence National Cemetery, 803 E. Mational Cemetery Road, Florence.
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Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
