Rev. Norman Cleo Dudley, 87, was born in Baltimore, Md., on October 20, 1936, to the late Costello Coleman Dudley and Anna Inez Holcomb Dudley. He departed this life on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Willow Valley Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Rev. Dudley graduated from Fredrick Douglass High School in Baltimore and attended Baltimore Junior College and Coppin State University in Baltimore, where he received a Certificate in Philosophical Theology. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1955 until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Rev. Dudley married his wife of 58 years, Dorinda Priscilla Mays Dudley, on December 22, 1965. He was employed as a Social Security Specialist with the Social Security Administration until his retirement in 1990. He was the pastor of Northeast Baptist Church in Baltimore prior to relocating to Iredell County, N.C., and retired as pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in 2013. He was the former Moderator of Yadkin and Davie Association, former President of Baptist Ministers Alliance, formerly sat on the Board of the United Way of Iredell County, Board of Foothills Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and the Board of Information and Referral. He was the Associate Minister of St. John Baptist Church, where Rev. Burrell Brooks was pastor. He served on the Board of 1st Bank. Prior to becoming a minister of the Gospel, he was a singer of the Gospel with the Gospel Leaders of Baltimore.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herbert “Skip” Dudley, and a sister-in-law, Nancy Dudley.

In addition to his wife Priscilla, he leaves to cherish his memory five children, Michael (Wendy) Dudley of Virginia; Lynda (Rev. Larry) Exum; Norman “Boo” Costello Dudley, both of Baltimore; Anthony “Tony” (Rhonda) Dudley of Washington, D.C.; and Brian (Paula) Dudley of Georgia; ten grandchildren; great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Hobart (Barbara) Mays Jr.; Raymond “Mike” (Delores) Mays; sister-in-law, Carolyn Tidline; Mt. Nebo family, St. John family; special friends, Ralph (Pat) Dalton, Ervin (Daisy) Keaton, J. P. (Dorothy) Steele; and many more; three nieces; five nephews; six great nieces; two great nephews; and a host of cousins; other relatives; church family; and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C. Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at the church, offering an opportunity for cherished memories and shared moments. Rev. Burrell Brooks will be officiating the service and delivering the eulogy.

Visit the Book of Memories for Reverend Norman C. Dudley at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Dudley family.