Keith M Dudley

Keith Marcell Dudley, son of Betty (Grubbs) Dudley and the late Deacon Warren S. Dudley, was born on May 8, 1959 in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  He entered into eternal rest on October 3, 2022.  Throughout his life he committed his time and talent to the Wilkes-Barre community. He was respected and admired by friends, family, co-workers, and strangers alike. Keith was lovingly referred to as “The Mayor” because there were few places he could go where he was not known and loved. 

Keith was a standout, multi-sport athlete and graduated from Elmer L. Meyers High School. He attended Misericordia University and graduated from Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) with an associate degree in Architectural Engineering.  In addition to his degree, he held several professional certifications from national and global organizations, and he was a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers.

Keith was passionate about the construction industry and worked in the field for 37 years. He built an impressive resume over the years and held the title of Senior Associate with his current company, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT). He was involved in JMT’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Business Resource Group, which was established in part to attract and retain a more diverse talent pool. To further his reach with this initiative, Keith started the Warren S. Dudley Scholarship Fund in partnership with his company for Black engineers at LCCC.

Keith also owned several companies throughout his life, including DuMac Construction, Inc., two cleaning services, MAJACH, Inc. and Coverall Cleaning Concepts, and was co-owner of Baskets & Bundles.  Keith was an active member of his community; his commitment was recognized by the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award for exemplary work in community service. 

Keith was a man of God and a faithful and dedicated servant of the church community. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA for over 50 years and served as Chairman of the Trustee Board. He also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, assisted with the food pantry and breakfast programs, and he participated in the Van Ministry. In 2019, he joined the First Baptist Church of Pittston, PA where he served on the Trustee Board.  He was a member of the Men’s Fellowship and Willing Workers.  Keith was also a valued contributor to the Vacation Bible School program.

Keith was a football enthusiast. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a proud member of the Outlaws Flag Football organization and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Eagles semi-pro football team, where he was both a player and a board member. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his family.  Keith could often be found cheering on Jade and Cheyenne, his beautiful daughters from his first marriage, at their extra-curricular activities. He often spoke that they were his “greatest accomplishment.”  Keith and his wife, Vanessa, were the love of each other’s lives.  The pair exchanged vows in Hawaii on April 3, 2013.  Their marriage was based on the foundation of agape love, and they modeled this love for each other daily.

Keith had a smile and a laugh that would light up the whole room. He leaves to celebrate his memory: his loving wife Vanessa Dudley, daughter Jade M. Dudley of Baltimore, MD, daughter Cheyenne M. Dudley of Scranton, PA, mother Betty L. Dudley of Wilkes-Barre, PA, stepmother Reverend Barbara Dudley of Newport News, VA, sister Marilyn A. Dudley of Bel Air, MD, sister Carla R. Deyoe (Matthew) of Newport News, VA, brother Kyle W. Dudley of San Antonio, TX, brother Gregory C. Dudley of Newport News, VA, his in-laws Jennie Smith-Shantaloo of Atlanta, GA, Rondia Hodge of Paterson, NJ, Kenneth Hodge (Jane) of Columbus, OH, Ervin Hodge of Paterson, NJ, and Samuel Mack (Shelia -deceased) of Tampa, Florida, his aunts Flora Chase (Gerald-deceased) of Washington, D.C., Mary D. Stephens (David-deceased) of Nashville, TN, godson Liam D. Rogers of Ft. Washington, MD, several nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins. 

Keith was preceded in death by sister Sheila L. Dudley, father Deacon Warren S. Dudley,  grandparents John E. Dudley, Viola Dudley Barbour, Bluford and Blanche Grubbs, mother-in-law Curtise J. Mack, aunt Martha Bacon, and his uncles with whom he shared a special bond.  

A Visitation will be held on Friday, October 14, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 105 Hill Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a Homegoing service to follow at 7:00 PM.  Officiating will be the Reverend James Breese.

A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 9:30 AM in Oaklawn Cemetery. The procession will gather at Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, 465 S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, at 9:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Keith with donations to the Dudley Scholarship Fund. Please consider donation to The Dudley Scholarship under the donations tab or by clicking the following link: https://www.kniffenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Keith-Dudley#donations

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