The beautiful life of the beloved Katherine Louise Zander Dudley concluded peacefully on February 15, 2022. She was born the second child of the late Mr. Robert and Mrs. Percy Louise Zander on August 23, 1939 in Bessemer, Alabama.
At an early age she joined Mount Hebron Baptist Church where she was a faithful member until she joined her husband at Second Avenue Beulah Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend C.D. Patterson. She served her church family and Christian community as a member of the choir, President of the Nurse’s Guild, Jefferson County District Association Co-Chairperson, Recording Secretary of the Second Avenue Beulah Mission, Alabama Baptist Women’s Auxiliary and President of the Dunbar High School alumni class of 1957.
She received her education through the Bessemer City School system where she graduated from Dunbar High School in 1957. She continued her education at the Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia where she completed her studies to become a registered nurse in 1960. For forty years she worked and cared for patients as a nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and the Veteran Affairs Medical Center where she retired after more than 30 years of service as an operating room nurse, patient care specialist and member of the Infusion team. After retirement, she continued nursing as a home health care nurse and later as the director of Huggs and Kisses Sick Child Day Care.
Katherine enjoyed spending time with family and friends through her participation and travels with various social organizations. She also treasured her memberships in Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. a professional organization for registered nurses where she was an incorporating member of the Birmingham chapter and the Birmingham chapter of the Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She also excelled in and enjoyed various hobbies including cooking, baking, crocheting and sewing.
She was united in marriage to Frederick G. Dudley in 1965 and to this union two children, Frederick II (Tina) and Fanchon (Maurice) were born. Her legacy will continue through her five grandchildren Nayirah, Will, Asad, Chloe and Samad. Her extended legacy includes her brother, Robert (Mattie) Zander and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her younger brother, the late William Zander will continue her legacy through his wife, Caroline and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Katherine was loved and cherished by her family members including her in-laws, Iverson II and Annie Bell Dudley, the late Clifford and the late Louise Dudley, the late Iverson III and the late Jacqueline Dudley, the late Arleen and the late Jacob Adderly, the late James and Marion Dudley, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also loved and cared for by numerous nieces, nephews, caregivers, and other extended family and friends.