Martinez-Mrs. Lydia Gilkerson Dudley passed away peacefully at her home in Martinez, GA on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Lydia was born in Greenville, SC on December 11, 1921 to Yancey and Harriet Gilkerson. She spent her early childhood in Greenville, SC. After her mother passed away in 1931, she moved to Roanoke, VA to live with her grandmother and uncle. In June 1939, she married Robert Patterson, who was reported missing in action in May 1945 while serving with the Navy on submarine duty in the South China Sea. In July 1948, a year and a half after Robert was declared dead, Lydia married Thomas Dudley in Roanoke, VA. While living in Roanoke, they had three children: Thomas Jr., Michael, and Victoria. Thomas Dudley had served as an Army Lieutenant in Europe during WWII and, at the start of the Korean War, was recalled to active duty and left for assignment in Anchorage, AK. Lydia followed him there shortly afterwards with their three young children. While living in Anchorage, their third son, David, was born. After Anchorage, they moved to Ft. Benning, GA (while then Capt. Dudley was serving his first tour in Vietnam). Their fourth son, Ronald, was born while they lived in Ft. Benning. They then moved to Baltimore, MD, followed by El Paso, TX, where their second daughter, Della, was born. Their next move was to Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and then Arlington, VA, where their youngest daughter, Jennifer, was born. Their next assignment was two years in Taipei, Taiwan followed by a two year tour in Edgewood Arsenal, MD, and then on to Columbia, SC (while then Lt. Col. Dudley served another combat assignment in Vietnam). Their next move was to Key West, FL, and then Highlands, NJ. When Col. Dudley retired in 1973, he and Lydia moved to Augusta, GA. Col. Dudley died in Augusta, GA, on July 2, 1993. Lydia later lived with her daughter, Jennifer, where she stayed until she passed away. Above all else, Lydia loved her family. After losing her mother when she was only ten years old and being separated from her two brothers and father for the majority of her formative years, she was determined to have a big, loving family of her own. That was her only condition on accepting Thomas’ proposal of marriage in January 1948. Beyond her family, Lydia had a deep love for gardening and cooking. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Red Cross, and Eisenhower Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Yancey Gilkerson Jr.; her first husband, Robert Patterson; her husband, Col. Thomas Dudley; and her son, David Dudley. Survivors include her brother, Dr. Richard Gilkerson (Frances) of Columbia, SC; six children: Lt. Col. Thomas Dudley Jr. (Linet) of Steamboat Springs, CO; son, Michael Dudley (Glenda) of Lawrenceville, GA; daughter, Victoria McNamara of Virginia Beach, VA; son, Ronald Dudley (Teresa) of Suwanee, GA; daughter, Della Bronstein (Larry) of Knoxville, TN; and daughter, Jennifer Butler of Martinez, GA; ten grandchildren: Thomas Dudley III (Jessie) of Golden, CO; David Dudley (Kelly) of Marietta, GA; Laura Evans of Summit County, CO; Ryan McNamara of Walnut Creek, CA; Greg Bronstein of Miami, FL; Tyler McNamara of Columbia, SC; Andrew Dudley of Columbus, GA; Lydia Bronstein of Cleveland, OH; Ethan Butler of Arlington, VA; and Taylor Butler of Atlanta, GA; and two great grandchildren: Linet Evans of Summit County, CO; and Jack Dudley of Golden, CO.
She was deeply loved by all of her family and friends, and her memory will be cherished forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 106 SRP Drive, Suite A, Evans, GA 30809. A private ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, where she will be interred with her husband.