John Dudley Herndon

John Dudley Herndon, 91, of Martinsville, Va. passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026. He was born June 12, 1934, in Pittsylvania County to Walter Jefferson Herndon and Hope Arnn Herndon.

Dudley is survived by his sons, John “Rooster” Herndon (Sandra), Allen Herndon (Renee), and Bobby-Dean Herndon; 6 grandchildren, Ruby Smith (Shannon), Becky Ray (Dwayne), Amanda Arnold (Jake), Megan Marchick (Kris), Becca Bartholomew (Brandon), Allen Herndon, Jr.; 2 step-grandchildren, Sierra Cochran (Jerry), Cole Watson; 9 great-grandchildren, Caillie, Morgan, Olivia, Eli, Grayson, Parker, Harper, Nixon, Ellis and Madison; sisters Joan Lewallen and Joyce Allen (Richard); brother, Benny Ray; sister-in-law Ollie Herndon; and brother-in-law Fred Soyars.

Dudley dearly loved and cherished his wife, Doris. They took extraordinary care of one another and set a true example of a loving marriage throughout nearly 66 years of marriage. Dudley and Doris deeply loved their children, grandchildren, and siblings. Above all else, they loved the Lord and were faithful members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church for 52 years.

Dudley proudly served in the U.S. Army. He retired as a truck driver for Old Dominion Freight Lines. Dudley never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. He loved sharing stories, telling jokes and making people laugh. He also enjoyed showing people his Facebook page which was a small flip pad that had his picture on the front of it.