Yvonne Brenda Bolden Dudley was born November 7, 1951, to the late Frank and Marguerita (Quinones) Bolden at Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.  She departed this life on January 29, 2023.

Yvonne was a resident of Fort Greene projects and a part of the public school system in Brooklyn for her entire educational career.   Shortly after completing her educational experience in Brooklyn, Yvonne migrated to the Bronx, NY to begin her professional career.  Yvonne’s migration to the Bronx came with her good friend Stephanie Holder.  Yvonne held many jobs until she bumped into one that would become her career.  Yvonne began her career with Verizon (then New York Bell) at the age of 18.  As with anything she put her mind to she quickly progressed and grew with the company and its name.   During this time, she also met who would be her future husband, Eugene L. Dudley, Sr.

Yvonne and Eugene were married December 17, 1972.   Shortly after these two moved to Plainfield, NJ.  They shared many adventures and firsts together.  They grew with each other and learned from each other.   These two spent fifty wonderful years together in holy matrimony.  From their union came (predeceased) Eugene Jr. (Gussie), Leah Michelle and also her bonus son Aaron Tecager  They lived together in happy matrimony until death did they part.

Although Yvonne was not born in the Church of God and Saints of Christ faith community, shortly after the birth of her daughter; her curiosity began to get the best of her.  She wanted to know where her husband was taking her children every Saturday (Sabbath).  Her curious nature led her to attend services with the family as well.  Yvonne began her religious walk with the Church of God and Saints of Christ in Newark, NJ where she was baptized by her first pastor, Evangelist B.J. Quattlebaum.  With that, she was welcomed and embraced by Newark Tabernacle, which she considered to be her first religious family.  You would have never known; Yvonne was not “born” into the religious organization by the way she hit the ground running.  There was never a job too big or small, and she showed just that when she and her committee created a cotillion for the youth of Newark Tabernacle.  

In January 2019, the Dudley family decided to change directions and relocate to Richmond, Virginia, where they worshiped under the current pastorship of Evangelist-at-Large Joseph Weatherford.  While in good health, Yvonne did all she could to assist her new tabernacle. She did so until her health would no longer allow.  

In October of 1997, Yvonne became a “GG” (gorgeous grandma), thanks to her daughter, Leah.   Her first granddaughter, MyLeah, was born and created a domino effect in her life.  Occurring shortly after Yvonne retired from Verizon, Yvonne took on caring for her granddaughter in order to help her daughter return to school.  This was also the start of the next phase in her life, starting her daycare.  M&M Daycare was started with GG taking care of her granddaughter MyLeah, and as luck would have it, the neighbors had a baby, Melanie, not long before. These two little girls paved the way for many who would become GG’s babies.  These babies never went away, but simply aged out. But they always knew where to go if they needed a hug, a kind word, and if nothing else, a hot meal.  Her home became a safe haven to so many and no one ever felt anything less than Yvonne’s love.

Yvonne believed in God, His Man, and His plan.  She was appointed to the General Tabernacle Trustee Board by Rabbi Jehu August Crowdy, Jr.  She served in this role until becoming emeritized by Chief Rabbi Phillip E. McNeil in 2022.  She was a hard worker before stepping into this position, while she held it, even when sick, and continued to be a diligent, stalwart soldier in God’s army until her health no longer allowed. 

Yvonne leaves to cherish her well lived life, her husband Eugene; children:  Leah, Aaron, and daughter-in-law, Gussie; grandchildren: MyLeah Zanasia (Leah Dudley), Genise Tenee (Denise Wilson), Cameron Idris (Kaiyah Austin), and one bonus grand, Gabrielle Paige (Gussie Dudley); brothers: Alan Bolden and Frank Bolden; sisters: Myrna Bolden and Joyce Bolden; sister-in -law: S.E. Jacqueline James; nieces and nephews: Kevin, Monet, Alexander, Dawn, Monique, Alan Jr,  Sabian, and James;  godchildren: Cuttino Marion, Taria L’Nai, Taylor Eugene, Maurice Jevon, Ashley Michelle, EJ (Rashad), Jermel, and Michael.  She also has some very special friends: Winnie Amos, Dianne Demby, Shirelle Ross (cousin), Keturah “KC” Phillips, and Marc Cunningham.  There are so many other lives she touched and impacted, far too many to name. Just know they were all cherished friendships and will be remembered.