MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Tanya Simmons Reid Phone: 336.662.2396 Email: tanya@skyrocketcommunications.com
Icon and Co-Founder of Dudley Hair Care Empire Dr. Joe L. Dudley, Sr. Passes Away At 86
High Point, NC | February 12, 2024 - Patriarch of the Dudley Hair Care empire, icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Joe L. Dudley, Sr. peacefully passed away in his Kernersville, NC home on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Born May 9, 1937, Dudley was labeled intellectually disabled and suffered a speech impediment. Through it all, his mother never stopped believing in him and is responsible for his overcoming these obstacles and becoming a role model for many.
He received numerous awards throughout his lifetime including: ● President George Bush’s 46th Point of Light Award for Dudley Fellows and Ladies Program ● The Direct Selling Association (DSA) Vision For Tomorrow Award ● Maya Angelou Tribute to Achievement Award ● Inc. Magazine’s North Carolina Master Entrepreneur Award ● 2005 Trumpet Award Winner ● Inducted into The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame (Business/Industry) ● Elected to The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans ● Inducted into the DSA Hall of Fame
Dudley is the author of the book “Walking By Faith, I AM, I CAN & I WILL” where he discusses his successful principle-centered and highly effective entrepreneurial recipe. It features ten (10) basic principles including Change Your Attitude to Change Your Life, Accept Challenge in Faith, Don’t Add Loss to Loss and Make a Difference in the World. This book has inspired many to pursue their purpose.
Celebration of Life events for Dr. Joe L. Dudley, Sr. will be held February 18 & 19, 2024 in Greensboro, NC and are open to the public. Please consider a donation to the Dr. Joe L. Dudley, Sr. scholarship in lieu of flowers. For details, visit https://dudleyq.com/JOE-L-DUDLEY-SR-TRIBUTE.
Dr. Joe Dudley, Sr. leaves to cherish his rich and loving legacy: his children, Joe L. Dudley Jr., Ursula Dudley Oglesby (Mark), Genea Dudley Gidey (the late Abay Gidey); his grandchildren, Mark Oglesby Jr, Elena Oglesby, Noah Gidey; his siblings, William Dudley, Cornelius (CC) Dudley (Emma), Mardecia Dudley (Pete), Elsie Little (Juarez), MacArthur Dudley, George Dudley (Blanche); his beloved former wife and business partner Eunice M. Dudley, his devoted caregiver Ella Wilson, his Dudley Products, Dudley Beauty Corp and Fuller Products families, and a host of other relatives, friends & colleagues.
There will be a Wake and Reflections held on Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 4pm-6pm at Providence Baptist Church 1106 Tuscaloosa Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27406. Fellowship with the family and share your remembrances of Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr.
A Celebration of Life to honor Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 10:00am at Mount Zion Baptist Church 1301 Alamance Church Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27406. Visitation is at 8:30am.
Please wear Navy blue in honor of Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Dr. Joe L. Dudley, Sr. scholarship https://dudleyq.com/JOE-L-DUDLEY-SR-TRIBUTE
Interment will follow at 2:00pm in Guilford Memorial Park 6000 Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, North Carolina 27407
Repast immediately following at Providence Baptist Church 1106 Tuscaloosa Street Greensboro, North Carolina 27406
Althea Marshall sent Forever in Our Hearts Casket Adornment for Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. - February 15, 2024
In loving memory of Dr.Joe L.Dudley ,Sr. God saw you were getting weary,so he did what he thought best. He put his arms around you and whispered come and rest. Althea Marshall & Children
Ocean Devotion was sent for Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. - February 15, 2024
Nathaniel Johnson sent Forever in Our Hearts Casket Adornment for Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. - February 15, 2024
These flowers is a symbol of my sincere appreciation of your courageousness and a quality of sprint that enabled you face all of life challenges. Love Nathaniel Johnson (Fuller Products)
Mr Dudley inspired me in so many different ways. I met Mr Dudley at a seminar he held at WSSU years back around 2015/2016. I had been in my first business for 3 years at the time and very young at age 23. At the time I had a lot of confusion, and confidence he helped me understand patients he helped me understand the victory of the underdog with such a humble warm spirit he sat in the hallway and talked to me and a good friend of mine until he said we had him behind and offered us to get his number from Tony and invited us to his mentor session at his house. He told me he only needed one suit and his house was worth 2 million, but he put in the book 1 million he was such a humble man with so much to brag upon he showed me no matter how far I take it to always remain grounded he gave me plans of his African American business museum he was truly an Icon and I will remember him for the rest of my life though I had so little time with him. Rest peacefully Mr Dudley and know the torch for great black businessman will continue. - Elvin Brown Jr.
I am a graduate of Dudley Cosmetology University in 1993. My salon celebrated 30 yrs in 2023. I owe a large part of this to Dudley Products. Forever grateful! Ellen Moore
Sending love, prayers and our sincerest condolences to Ursula, Mark, MJ, and Elena Oglesby.
Regina, Trey and Brooks Artis
My condolences to Joe Dudley, Jr and his family. Mr. Joe Dudley, Sr. was a good man and a praying man. I praying for your entire family. He will be missed greatly. Michelle Foust and Family
May God comfort you during your time of bereavement. I am originally from Mr. Dudley's hometown of Aurora (the Bonnerton, North Carolina Community). Lovie Cannon Mitchell (N.C.A.&T. Class of 1970)
My condolences and sympathy to Ursula Oglesby and her family. Cheryl Duncan-Gill and family
Our prayers and condolences Ernest and LaFania
The Bennett Family Guilford County, NC
The impact of Mr. Dudleys words will forever be engraved in our hearts. My wife Ramona, our family and the entire Ashtae Products organization mourns the loss of this Giant to our industry. Michael T. Woods
I met Mr.& Mrs. Dudley when I attended Cosmetology School at Dudleys Beauty College downtown Greensboro. I received my Diploma on June 30, 1975. I worked in his shops, one on Phillips Ave.in Greensboro, Durham and High Point. He really inspired all of us to do our very best. Thanks to his encouragement I went on to become an educator in the GCS system and now own a Turoring service. He was certainly a visionary for all.Praying for the family and friends to know he touched a lot of lives and still do. I have an autographed copy of his book.His legacy will live on! Blessings! Sandra and Victor Bartell Mcleansville, NC
Rick and Mary Lindsey
To the Dudley Family. Please know you are in our prayers. We have known this family since moving to Kernersville in 1996. We lived next door to his mother Mrs Clara and brother Mr Clifton. We are sadden to hear of Mr Joe's transition. Elsie and the Dudley family depend on God for your strength. We love you.
My sincerest condolences prayers and love to Mrs Dudley and family. Mr Joe Dudley senior was a true destiny helper a pioneer and a man of legacy. I celebrate his life and give double honor and appreciation of all of his contributions for our people. Blessings Edwina Andrews
Condolences to the Dudley family. I graduated from Dudley beauty school 1970s Sarah Hampton. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Rest in Paradise Aggie...you have made your fellow Aggies Proud!💙💛
Sending prayers of comfort to the family during your time of loss. The Cosmetic Arts industry has lost a pillar of knowledge and innovation.
Bernetta Smith-NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
My condolences to the Dudley family. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Paulette Rucker
Condolences to the Dudley Family. Joe and I were schoolmates in the late '50s at A&T. Blessings.
Lewis Brandon
To the Dudley family u have my sympathy I will surely miss Mr Dudley he taught me a lot and I will never forget when I worked for him he will truly b miss love u all I will b praying for u all
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
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