Mary Jo Embry Rudolph, 79, of Clearwater, FL died October 1, 2015 at her residence. She was born July 3, 1936 in Steff, KY. She graduated from Shawnee High School, Class of 1954. She married Jim “Rudy” Rudolph and they moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1967 from Indianapolis. Before retirement she worked as a warranty clerk for the Hyundai dealership in Pinellas Park. She was a Baptist. She loved keeping in touch with her high school friends, her cousins, her children, her grandchildren and Thrift Store shopping. She was an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan.
She is survived by her sons, Jim (Kim) Rudolph, Rev. Jeff (Kathy) Rudolph, both of Clearwater, her daughter Kim (Brent) Rudolph Jeffers, Holly Springs, NC, eight grandchildren, Brent Jeffers, Jimmy Rudolph, Matt Jeffers, Joel Rudolph, Jeffrey Rudolph, Cody Jeffers, Christian Rudolph & Jordan Rudolph, two great grand daughters, Jane Embry Rudolph & Elizabeth Abigail Jeffers, her cousin, Wanda Daniel and long time friends Faye Dale and Ellen Winship.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at noon at the Neafus Cemetery in Caneyville, KY, her childhood home, where she had her best memories.
Contributions can be made in her memory to First Assembly of God’s “Dream Center”, 1739 S. Martin L. King Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756. The Rudolph & Jeffers family would like to thank Dr. Mark Smitherman, M.D. and Iris, Jannie, & Lilly of the “purple team” at Suncoast Hospice for their loving care.
I have many happy memories from childhood. Mom was a great cook and her fried chicken was legendary. When she made our plates, mine always had two drumsticks, my favorite. I also remember a time when my brother Jeff talked me into playing in a muddy ditch on the way home from Starkey Elementary School. School clothes were absolutely sacred, no playing in them. They were taken off, folded, we wore old clothes to play. We came home covered in mud. Mom was furious. She laid newspapers down on the kitchen floor and Jeff and I sat there all afternoon waiting for the beating. At about 5:45 pm we knew it was any minute, we both began to cry knowing what would happen when dad walked in and saw us. Mom knew too. She began to feel sorry for us. She lost her nerve, looked at us and said “you get your butts out of those clothes, throw them in the washer and don’t ever do that again!” It was like being let off death row. She washed all of it, dad never knew. We both made it to adulthood.
Thanks mom.
We are so very sorry to hear of your great loss, Jim and Kim and all your family. May God strengthen you with His divine peace and comfort today and in the days ahead as you mourn your precious Mom’s passing. We love you and will be keeping your dear family in our prayers.
I have no sage words, just gratitue for this mother who raised a young boy to become a fine and honorable man, one whom I am blessed to call friend.
Dear Jim and family,
I never had a chance to meet Mary Jo, but just by knowing her son I’m sure she was a wonderful woman! “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!” Nevertheless, I’m sorry for all of your loss! The world is a different place without our parents in it!
Take care,
Chad Snyder
OCMS Columbus, Ohio
I am so very sorry for the loss to all of the family! May God bring the comfort that only He is able, to each of you. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Praying for you and your family Jim. So sorry to hear about your mom. Just knowing you I’m sure she was a loving and generous lady. I recall her coming by the office when she visited in town but I didn’t get to know her personally. Glad to see the love and support of your family and friends. My heart goes out to you all. With love and blessings!
Jennifer, Steve and Brandon West
Jim and Jeff,
I am so sorry to hear of your Moms passing. I do know she she is pain free and happy to be with her mom and husband again. I am keeping both of you and your families in my prayers. God Bless you all.
Linda Antaya
We send our heartfelt condolences to Pastor Jeff Rudolph and the entire family. We pray God will strengthen you during this difficult time. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Kim,
Thanks for sharing your memories about your mom! It made me laugh while you were describing about “being let off death row.” I’m sure she was a special woman to you both. Sorry for your loss and may God give you peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Love you
Jim, buddy I am so sorry to learn of your mom passing away. Pati and I are traveling in Greece. I will call you when we return. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kim and the family
Jim, so sorry to hear about your loss. You know I went through this a few years ago with my mother. If Patti or I can help in any way, let me know.
Fun times at the Rudolph house growing up! Lots of shenanigans with Kim and Julie Jones on the corner of Gardenia drive. Hugs to you Jim Jeff and Kim😘😘
Jim,
Christina and I are so very sorry to hear that your mom has passed away. You, Kim and your entire family will remain in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do for you and your family please do not hesitate to call.
To: Jim,Jeff and Kim, Oh! what will I do without Jo! My heart is so full at this moment of wonderful memories of our teen years and the fun we had. We worked together at a part-time job at a movie theater and had a fantastic boss who tolerated our shenanigans. We met in the 9th grade at Shawnee and became friends quickly and me being new to the school enjoyed her friendship then found out my Mom came from the same area of Kentucky that she did and the rest is history. We visited often and talked on the phone almost daily in our later years. She knew my family well and I also knew hers.The highlight of our friendship came when we toured Israel in 2000 for ten days. I will miss her so much but know she has no pain or difficulty breathing and someday will see her again. I miss you Jo!
I have so many memories of my Mom volunteering to chaperone for the many camping trips I took with my Girl Scout troop. And for a woman that grew up running around the backwoods of Kentucky, on a farm no less, boy did she HATE bugs. It was so funny to watch her unpack her duffel bag in camp, draw out the 5 large cans of Raid bug spray, and proceed to spray every living inch around her sleeping bag! She was taking no chances! Thanks for the memories Mom. Love you
Jim & Kim, Pastor Jeff & Kathy, Kim & Brent, Jimmy, and Joel and the entire Rudolph & Jeffers families:
Sending our thoughts, prayers, and love to all of you from Michigan.
A clergy friend of mine tells the story of encountering a very frazeled Mom and her rebellious toddler in the grocery store. The little one would pull things off the shelves and into the cart and as soon as she plucked them out, he’d be grabbing more stuff off the shelf or throwing the things they needed out of the cart. Sensing she needed some encouragement, he approached the Mother and asked if the little one was behaving like his Father or Mother ? (He adds to the story that his wife asked if the Mother slapped him) But the Mother quickly replied, “No, he’s not acting like me or his father, but like his Grandmother!”
Always remember that little parts of Mom continue to live on in each of you, your children, and grandchildren.
Rob, Joni, Thoren & Taryn Christiansen
Greenville, Michigan
Jim- I did not have the pleasure of knowing your mom; however, I do have the pleasure of knowing the son she raised. I am positive to say she was proud of you would be an understatement. Love to the Rudolph family.
Best,
Lori Spooner
I think Darin summed it up very well.
All I can add to that is may her memory be eternal.
Ray & Alicia Visotski