Winifred "Freddie" Dudley's Obituary
Winifred “Freddie” Dudley, age 100, passed from this world into her heavenly home on April 29, 2023. Freddie was born on July 11, 1922 to Earl and Mabel Whelchel in Westville, OK. There she spent her childhood living on her father’s Cherokee allotment land, attending a one room country school and graduating from Westville High School. In 1942 Freddie, along with her family, moved to Tulsa where she worked for Douglas Aircraft Co. Then in 1944, during the height of WWII, Winifred enlisted in the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). One year later this auxiliary unit was changed to Women’s Army Corps (WAC), which granted official military status to these women volunteers. This established Winifred as a groundbreaker for women in U.S. military active service. She served in the army for nearly 2 years, working as a clerical worker, military postal worker and chaplain’s assistant.
Shortly after the war ended in 1945, Winifred married Jay Floyd Dudley, also from Westville and also a WWII Army Air Corps veteran. The newlyweds would make their first home in Tahlequah, OK where Jay attended Northeastern State Teachers College. After his graduation from college they moved to the community of Bunch, OK where Jay served for 17 years as principal and teacher at Cave Springs School. Winifred stayed busy during this time raising their four children, serving in any capacity in which she was needed at the school, giving much time and energy to Bunch Baptist Church and helping to meet any need in the community that she was made aware of.
Later on the Dudley’s lived and worked in Nickerson, KS, Bentonville, AR and Oilton, OK. In each of these new places Freddie found and pursued opportunities to do what she did best...serve others. Everywhere she went she left a legacy of people impacted by her time and energy and Christlike love.
When Jay and Freddie finally retired and moved to Tulsa, Freddie volunteered her valuable services to several ministries and organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Baptist Ministry Center, Tulsa State Fair (as a chaplain), Oklahoma Honor Flight, and Ernest Childers VA Clinic. For Winifred, volunteering in each of these capacities was not merely a way to fill her time during retirement. Her service stemmed from a steadfast desire to follow and be like her Savior, Jesus Christ. She had experienced His love and she was compelled to reflect that love to everyone around her.
Jay and Freddie were married 70 years until Jay passed away in 2016. Together they had four children—Dayne, Jayne, Wayne and Kelly. 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Winifred is preceded in death by her husband Jay Dudley, daughter Jayne White, son Larry Dudley, sisters Evelyn Morris and Billie June Sale, grandson Brandt Henderson. She is survived by her son Dayne Dudley, son Wayne Dudley and wife Tammy, daughter Kelly Henderson and husband Michael, son-in-law Ron White, grandchildren Kelsey Sanchez and husband Luis, Courtney Dudley, Brandon White, Shannon White, Christian Dudley, Olivia Franklin and husband Houston, McLain Dudley, Molly Dudley, Dino Henderson and wife Lenore, Drew Henderson, Rhett Henderson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ballard Bible Church—Watts, OK or Mend Medical Services—Tulsa, OK.
Visitation will be held Thursday and Friday, May 4 & 5, 2023 from 4-7 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home - Rose Chapel. Interment will be held at a later date.
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