Melba Allene Dudley

Benson, NC:  Mrs. Melba Allene Dudley, age 81, of 2702 Godwin Lake Road died Friday, September 26, 2014, at her home. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Benson. Officiating will be  Rev. Richard Whitman and Rev. Billy Cashwell.  Burial will follow in Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Newton Grove.      Mrs. Dudley was born on January 24, 1933 in Johnston County to the late Young Eldridge and Lina Pearl Jackson Thornton.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold C. Dudley; brothers, David Thornton, Roy Thornton, and Hubert Thornton; sisters, Penny Barefoot, Rachel Barefoot, and Grace Barefoot; and a step granddaughter, Tammy Godwin.  Mrs. Dudley was a homemaker, a farmer, and a member of Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church.      Surviving are daughters & sons-in-law, Vanessa & Elton Hall and Darlene & Dwane Byrd, all of Benson; sons & daughters-in-law, Buddy & Connie Dudley, Tony L. & Sandra Dudley, and Mickey & Donna Dudley, all of Benson; sister, Christine Langston of Four Oaks;  8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a great great grandson; and many nieces and nephews.      The family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Monday, September 29, 2014, and other times at the home of Vanessa & Elton Hall, 3330 Beasley Road, Benson.      Flowers are welcomed, however, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, Johnston County Division, P. O. Box 1544, Smithfield, NC  27577.