Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
DeathJan 15, 2026, Elon, Alamance County, North Carolina [5534]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [36347]
FatherGeorge Lafayette RUDD (1882-1970)
MotherMinerva Harris SMITH (1889-1970)
Spouses
DeathMar 30, 2018, Alamance County, North Carolina [8155]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [36349]
FatherBruce Barrett COOK (1881-1952)
MotherAnnie Lee PRITCHETT (1889-1975)
Obituary Online notes for Walter Franklin RUDD
Walter Franklin Rudd
February 2, 1927 — January 15, 2026
Elon
Walter Franklin Rudd, 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Compass Healthcare and Rehab, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on February 2, 1927 in Alamance County to the late George Lafayette Rudd and Minerva Smith, and was the husband to the late Marie Cook Rudd who died in 2018.
Walter dedicated many years of his life to a fulfilling career with the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company before retiring and embracing the joys of family life.
He was a proud WWII Navy Veteran, whose service to his country was just one example of his selfless nature. His commitment to giving extended beyond his military service; Walter and his late wife, Marie, devoted themselves to their community by delivering Meals on Wheels for many years, bringing warmth and companionship to those in need.
He is remembered as a kind, generous, thoughtful, and giving man, attributes that touched all of those fortunate enough to know him. Walter was a member of Hope Church, formerly Brookwood Baptist Church, and he later attended Long's Chapel Christian Church. During his time at Compass Healthcare, he enjoyed chapel services led by Rev. Stuart Johnston and brought joy to his fellow residents through friendly bingo games. Walter often shared his chocolate winnings, exemplifying his spirit of generosity and friendship. His daily walks were not just a means of exercise; they were opportunities for socializing with the staff and residents, as he valued relationships deeply.
Walter's fondest memories were with Marie, his beloved wife of 70 years, together they nurtured a beautiful garden each year and created lasting family traditions around canning and home-cooked meals, solidifying their bond and establishing a legacy of love and togetherness raising their children.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Janice Rudd Clayton and her husband Douglas, and Gloria Rudd Beaver and her husband Milton; his son, James F. Rudd; his grandchildren that he adored, Cindy McGilvray, Josh Beaver and his wife Carla, Cary Jacobson and her husband Matt, and Brooke Souder and her husband Billy; along with numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn Simons, and many nieces and nephews.
Walter has now been reunited with his parents; his wife; a son, Brodie Allen Rudd; and several siblings, including an infant brother, Jimmy W. Rudd, Lacy T. Rudd, Leonard D. Rudd, Myrtle Rimmer, Nellie Moss, Lee J. Rudd, and George Rudd.
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Walter will be held at 2:00pm Monday, January 19, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. David Wood and Rev. Stuart Johnston with the burial to follow at Alamance Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends Monday prior to the service from 12:30pm to 1:45pm at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Alamance County Meals on Wheels, Inc., 411 West Fifth Street, Suite A, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.com or P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. You may send condolences to the family and watch the service online at www.lowefuneralhome.com [5534]
February 2, 1927 — January 15, 2026
Elon
Walter Franklin Rudd, 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Compass Healthcare and Rehab, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on February 2, 1927 in Alamance County to the late George Lafayette Rudd and Minerva Smith, and was the husband to the late Marie Cook Rudd who died in 2018.
Walter dedicated many years of his life to a fulfilling career with the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company before retiring and embracing the joys of family life.
He was a proud WWII Navy Veteran, whose service to his country was just one example of his selfless nature. His commitment to giving extended beyond his military service; Walter and his late wife, Marie, devoted themselves to their community by delivering Meals on Wheels for many years, bringing warmth and companionship to those in need.
He is remembered as a kind, generous, thoughtful, and giving man, attributes that touched all of those fortunate enough to know him. Walter was a member of Hope Church, formerly Brookwood Baptist Church, and he later attended Long's Chapel Christian Church. During his time at Compass Healthcare, he enjoyed chapel services led by Rev. Stuart Johnston and brought joy to his fellow residents through friendly bingo games. Walter often shared his chocolate winnings, exemplifying his spirit of generosity and friendship. His daily walks were not just a means of exercise; they were opportunities for socializing with the staff and residents, as he valued relationships deeply.
Walter's fondest memories were with Marie, his beloved wife of 70 years, together they nurtured a beautiful garden each year and created lasting family traditions around canning and home-cooked meals, solidifying their bond and establishing a legacy of love and togetherness raising their children.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Janice Rudd Clayton and her husband Douglas, and Gloria Rudd Beaver and her husband Milton; his son, James F. Rudd; his grandchildren that he adored, Cindy McGilvray, Josh Beaver and his wife Carla, Cary Jacobson and her husband Matt, and Brooke Souder and her husband Billy; along with numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn Simons, and many nieces and nephews.
Walter has now been reunited with his parents; his wife; a son, Brodie Allen Rudd; and several siblings, including an infant brother, Jimmy W. Rudd, Lacy T. Rudd, Leonard D. Rudd, Myrtle Rimmer, Nellie Moss, Lee J. Rudd, and George Rudd.
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Walter will be held at 2:00pm Monday, January 19, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. David Wood and Rev. Stuart Johnston with the burial to follow at Alamance Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends Monday prior to the service from 12:30pm to 1:45pm at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Alamance County Meals on Wheels, Inc., 411 West Fifth Street, Suite A, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.com or P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. You may send condolences to the family and watch the service online at www.lowefuneralhome.com [5534]
Obituary Online notes for Marie Ann (Spouse 1)
4/1/2018
Marie Cook Rudd
ELON – Marie Cook Rudd, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 30, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was a native of Rockingham County and the wife of 70 years to Walter Franklin Rudd who survives.
Marie retired from several Hosiery Mills and was a homemaker. She was a member of Hope Church formerly Brookwood Baptist Church where she served in the Nursery and taught children in Sunday School for many years.
Marie enjoyed growing flowers to make arrangements for her church each Sunday. She and her husband, Walter delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. Marie was a loving and devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
Survivors include her husband of the home; daughters, Janice Rudd Clayton and husband, Douglas of Hurdle Mills and Gloria Rudd Beaver and husband, Milton of Cleveland, NC; son, James Rudd of Burlington; four grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce Baret and Annie Bessie Pritchett Cook; son, Brodie Allen Rudd; sister, Cletus Hadnott and brothers, Walter S. Cook, Richard W Cook, Norman F. Cook and Forbes C. Cook.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor Garry Gates and Pastor David Wood.
The burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home and other times at the home.
The family would like to thank Tina and Janet and the nurses and staff of Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for Marie during her illness.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 and Meals on Wheels of Alamance County, 411 Fifth Street, # A, Burlington, NC 27215.
You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com. [8155]
Marie Cook Rudd
ELON – Marie Cook Rudd, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 30, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was a native of Rockingham County and the wife of 70 years to Walter Franklin Rudd who survives.
Marie retired from several Hosiery Mills and was a homemaker. She was a member of Hope Church formerly Brookwood Baptist Church where she served in the Nursery and taught children in Sunday School for many years.
Marie enjoyed growing flowers to make arrangements for her church each Sunday. She and her husband, Walter delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. Marie was a loving and devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
Survivors include her husband of the home; daughters, Janice Rudd Clayton and husband, Douglas of Hurdle Mills and Gloria Rudd Beaver and husband, Milton of Cleveland, NC; son, James Rudd of Burlington; four grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce Baret and Annie Bessie Pritchett Cook; son, Brodie Allen Rudd; sister, Cletus Hadnott and brothers, Walter S. Cook, Richard W Cook, Norman F. Cook and Forbes C. Cook.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor Garry Gates and Pastor David Wood.
The burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home and other times at the home.
The family would like to thank Tina and Janet and the nurses and staff of Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for Marie during her illness.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 and Meals on Wheels of Alamance County, 411 Fifth Street, # A, Burlington, NC 27215.
You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com. [8155]