Susan Bowling Dudney

On Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 in Kingsport TN, a kind and gracious southern lady, known for her perpetual smile, departed this earth for her heavenly home after a period of declining health.

Susan Bowling Dudney, 92, was born on March 5, 1927 in LaFayette, AL to George Randolph and Sallie Dowdell Bowling. She graduated from LaFayette High School in 1945 and enrolled at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA where she met her future husband, Earl, a student attending Georgia Tech. In 1949, after graduating with a double major in mathematics and physics, Susan and Earl were married and embarked on a lifelong adventure. The journey included stops in Kingsport, New Jersey, Massachusetts and then back to Kingsport and along the way they welcomed five children, 15 grandchildren and 26 (and counting) great-grandchildren.

Susan loved many things in her life, first and foremost God and her family. When her grandchildren were young, she loved hosting Saturday morning breakfast gatherings filled with food, fun, laughter and games. She loved celebrating her creative talents, singing in the choir, playing handbells, painting and producing hundreds of cross-stitched masterpieces, especially her amazing angels. She loved games and sports of all kinds and often had her trusty transistor radio tuned to a ball game, one earbud firmly in place.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, T. Earl Dudney in 2013 and her brother, Randy, also in 2013.

She is survived by her children, Sue Greene (Jim), Kingsport; Dr. Tom Dudney (Diane), Hoover, AL; Steve “Bo” Dudney (Gloria), Johnson City; Anne Kilgore and Bill (Janyce) Dudney both of Kingsport; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Sean) Murphy, Easley, SC; Rebecca (Josh) Morelock, Kingsport; Danette (Casey) Bentley, Hoover, AL; Lindsey (James) Hundley, Nashville, TN; Brett (Shannon) Dudney, Birmingham, AL; Shane (Anne) Templeton, Knoxville, TN; Beth (Allen) Goins, Clinton, TN; Leslie (Thomas) Jordan, Franklin, TN; Nick Dudney, Johnson City; Adam (Staci) Kilgore, Memphis, TN; Sally (Kip) Galyean, Wilmington, NC; Brooke (Andy) Adams, Atlanta, GA; Laura (Adam) Goodwin, Asheville, NC; John (Heather) Dudney, Charlotte, NC; Rachel (Jonathan) Hight, Lexington, KY; her brother, Bill (Libba) Bowling, LaGrange, GA; her sister-in-law, Lib Dudney, Kingsport; 26 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Bob Lee and all the dedicated staff of caregivers at Preston Place Assisted Living and the wonderful nurses and support personnel at Amedisys Hospice for their care. Special thanks also to the private caregivers who lovingly provided Susan with care and companionship.

A memorial celebration of Susan’s life will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church in Kingsport with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church atrium. A private burial will precede the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Susan’s memory to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, Meals on Wheels of Kingsport, P.O.Box 3346, Kingsport, TN 37664, Agnes Scott College, 141 College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, or to the charity of one’s choice.