Jerry Wayne Dudley

Jerry Wayne "Petie" Dudley, 61, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Thurman Edgar Ayers and mother, Laura Hilda Dudley; grandparents Lowell "Teen" & Lucy "Ida" Dudley, Pete & Dalie Ayers, and honorable mention step-grandparents Ed & Bertha Dudley; as well as the many uncles and aunts he loved so dearly on all sides of the family . He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Thurman & Kathleen Dudley of Virginia Beach; honorable mention stepfather, Estelle Dudley of Buchanan; uncles and aunt, James & Roena Fowler of Buchanan, Herbert Ayers of Buchanan, and Howard Dudley of Natural Bridge; and the other aunts, uncles, and cousins of the step-family whom he cared about as well; a wonderful partner of fourteen years, Dorothy "Dottie" Killinger of Roanoke; nephews and nieces, Christopher, Timothy, Gregory & Diane, Augustus, and Anastasia Dudley of Virginia Beach; grand nephews and nieces; Silas, Kaylee, Kelsey, and Kinley of Virginia Beach; and cousins at various locations - Carolyn, Cheryl, Malcolm, David, Darlene, and Rita. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com. All family and friends are invited to the Funeral services and remembrance for Jerry which will be held during Interment at the Rapps Mill Cemetery 10:00 AM, the 30th of September (Saturday). Officiating will be Chaplain I. Ray Sloan. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made to local organization such as Fire and Rescue or graveyard caretakers in honor of Jerry Wayne Dudley. Short life story: Jerry was reared on the dirt road near old Grace Church and Alpine Farms with the family nick name of "Petie". He accomplished all of his childhood dreams of fishing the James near Rocky Point, playing cowboy and army in the "Big Ditches" near the Rycroft house, learning how to swim in Fowler's Pond & Jennings Creek, and sleigh riding from many hills of choice close by the little cabin home. Weekends included an occasional drive-in picture show at Mt Joy just south of Buchanan and attending Reverend Auzie Perry's sermons at the Mt Joy Church of the Brethren. Jerry graduated from James River High School in 1974 and attended Roanoke College for a short time still gathering his bearings for life. Jerry had a way of treating and respecting others which was evident with his approach, eye to eye contact and a firm hand shake. That approach worked well for the automotive salesman profession where he worked for the majority of his life. Jerry enjoyed watching NASCAR and NFL on TV and was very pleased to visit the sands at Virginia Beach every now and then. Of course, he had to always get back to the Mountains to keep that lawn in tip top condition. Jerry had been battling cancer over the years and finally gave up that fight with the unbearable affects that chemotherapy caused on his daily living. This plain old mountain man is greatly missed by his family. Thank you Lord for blessing us with our dear Jerry's presence even for such a short time. Now he is yours forever!