Obituary: MERLENE MITCHELL TUDOR
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Merlene Tudor, “Ma, Aunt Merlene, Sister, and Pudge” passed peacefully at home on Thursday, August 18, 2022 and is now with her Lord and Savior.
She was born on April 11, 1931 as the youngest of 13 children to Robert Hilmon and Nannie Bell Griffin Mitchell.
Her life was filled with love and grace, being the baby of this farming family. Most of the older brothers and sisters had started their own families by the time she graduated Madison High School. Mr. Bob, her father, called her Malene and labeled her “His best worker!” She tended crops, minded chickens, swept the front, milked the cow, and did anything else that needed to be done. She had the great ability to pick it up & put it down.
She met her husband, Bob Tudor, when he came from West Virginia to the Warner Joyce farm during the summer. They were married December 9, 1950 at Comer’s Chapel Baptist Church. Merlene was recruited by Lorillard Tobacco Company and walked in the plant from the day the doors opened and stayed for almost 40 years. After retiring in 1996, she was able to spend more of her time at Mitchell Farm, her homeplace, where she would work circles around everyone. She also helped her sister, Pauline, during holidays at the Flower Shop to keep things running in an orderly fashion.
She was a faithful nursery worker at Florida Street Baptist Church in Greensboro. She held and coddled the bed babies, creepers and toddlers for more than 50 years. She and Bob both enjoyed being with and caring for ALL those babies on Sundays. Her loving hands also cared for her husband, when his health began to decline.
After his passing, the family talked her into returning to the Intelligence Community, in Madison, where she enjoyed working in her yard daily. She loved spending time with friends and family, especially her siblings, grand and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her one daughter, Amanda; grandson, Wayne (Angie); granddaughter, Penny (Kurt Linville); great-grandchildren, Hallie and Hannah Martin and Josie and Mack Linville. Her joys and treasures all the days long. Also survived by many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by all these siblings: Molly (Rufus Roberts), John Lee (Inez), Robert Early, Blanche Flynn, Jessie (Will Roberts), William (Elsie), Charlie (Bess), Harold (Adell), Patty Pauline (Lawrence Byrum), Mable (Sid Huff), James Norman “Jib” (Maxine), RH “Snake” (Ginny).
Special thanks to all of her caregivers, especially Mrs. Liz!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice in her honor.
A celebration of life will be Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 2-4 pm at Madison United Methodist Church.
Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family.
Online condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net
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