Shirley Lee Fudge

SHIRLEY LEE FUDGE, age 86, of Surry, VA transitioned from this earthly experience to begin Her journey to sit with The Ancestors on Tuesday October 4, 2017.

Born November 22, 1930 in East Orange, N.J.  She was the oldest daughter of the late Clinton & Edith Banes Sr.  She moved with her family at a young age to Montclair NJ.  Where she attended Montclair public schools, graduating in 1948.  Shirley married her sweetheart the late Ogden N. Lee of Cumberland, VA on August 15, 1948.  To this union were born two sons; Ogden N. Jr in 1949 & Michael C. In 1958.    During the early years of marriage Shirley worked for Westinghouse Corp. in Newark, N.J;   where she met, developed & maintained several lifelong friendships.  Two very special, Camelia Miller & Barbara Lee (who became Her Sister in law).  She left Westinghouse & began a 30-year career at NJ Bell Telephone Company retiring in 1983.  Shirley was one of the very first African American Switch Board operators hired at the Jersey phone Co. She worked in several different positions & at several different offices including the Elizabeth & Montclair offices & retired as an Accounting Supervisor at The East Orange Office.  Upon retirement Shirley was inducted into The Bell Telephone Pioneers.  Following her retirement from NJ Bell Tell. Shirley worked for The Midlantic Bank in Milburn, NJ supervising the Safe Deposit Department for 10 years.  During this time, she also joined the Mary Kay Organization & developed an extensive sales organization which she trained & supervised.

As a young girl Shirley joined Mt Olive Baptist Church in East Orange, NJ where she sang in the Jr choir, was a member of the Junior Usher Board & a member of the Baptist Training Union where she was often a Delegate to their Youth Conferences; a responsibility which included presenting an annual report to the Parent Church Body of the Conference activities.  Shirley studied piano as a girl & sang in the Chorus in Jr. & Sr High School.    As an adult she joined The First Baptist Church in Linden, NJ & The Linden Scholarship Guild where She served in several positions including President for Two Years.

Shirley was invited to attend a Service by a neighbor, where She lived in Orange, NJ, she began regular attendance became a member of The Newark Temple under Evangelist Benjamin K.  Quattlebaum.  She was Immersed in New Rochelle, N. Y on September 10, 1989 by Evangelist Benjamin Quattlebaum.  She absolutely loved her Church, sang in the choir & after moving to Va in 1991 moved her membership to the Suffolk, VA Beth El Temple.  She was appointed to The Women’s Board in 2003 & was a very faithful & active member of the Immersion Committee right up to her Transition.

In 1990 Shirley re-met an old friend, John Fudge, Over the next couple years their friendship grew & eventually bloomed & blossomed into love & they were married by Elder Quattlebaum @ The Newark, NJ Tabernacle in 1993.  Upon retirement Shirley & John moved to Richmond, Va & then to Surry, VA where they have lived, loved & celebrated life on a daily basis.  While living in Richmond, Shirley & friend Deidra McDowell, directed, produced & hosted a talk show on Richmond’s public television station –  The Rivers of Life!

Survivors include: her husband John Fudge, Sons, Ogden Lee (Kippy) of Richmond, VA & Michael Lee &   daughter in law: Jill Lee of Appomattox, VA; grandchildren: Brian, Tyrone, Alvin, Tisha, Tiffany, Krista, & Briana; 21 great grandchildren & 2 great great grands, Sister Effe (LaVerne) & husband Moyenda Hashim & a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She was pre-deceased by her brother Clinton Barnes Jr. and  1^st  husband Ogden Lee.

Shirley was an outgoing, gregarious fun-loving LIFE filled person who will be truly missed by family and friends.

Viewing will be held on Saturday, October 14th from 3 pm to 6 pm at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 5738 Colonial Trail E, Surry, VA 23883.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1 pm at Church of God and Saints of Christ Temple Beth-El, 3927 Bridge Rd., Suffolk, VA 23435.  Interment will be in Mt. Ray Cemetery, Surry, VA.