Gwendolyn Dudley Gion

The world became a little more beautiful the day Gwendolyn Dudley was born on July 21, 1936 to LeeRoy and Vivian Dudley in Atkin, Texas. Gwen was the middle child of two brothers, Neil and Lynn. She was always right there, lock step with her brothers, her wide blue eyes constantly watching and learning from those two boys that she adored her whole life. She graduated from Plainview High School in Plainview, Texas. Gwen was a member of the Church of Christ from a very young age where she began a lifetime of friendships. Most of her friendships lasted over half a century. Even on her last days on this earth, she was making friends because when Gwen looked at you, she saw all the potential goodness inside that you ever had been and ever would be.  

Gwen was always a hard worker. Her first job started her at White’s Supermarket where with her first pay check, she bought a pair of white poodle figurines. After White’s she didn’t know it at the time, but her life was about to explode with more love than anyone could even begin to comprehend. She started working at F.W. Woolworth where she met the love of her life, Marion Gion. Three months later they began a marriage that lasted seventy years!  

Oh, what a love it was. Their dedication to the Lord and each other gave them the confidence to take their growing family and travel with Woolworths around the country; picking up new friends everywhere they went. They did decide to return back to Plainview, Texas so they could focus on raising their family of seven. Eventually, Gwen’s passion for creating beauty led her back work at other department stores in the decorating department such as J.C. Penny’s and Sears.

Gwen and Marions next adventure led them to the decision to buy Smokey’s BBQ, which they ran side by side for 31 years. Gwen and Marion raised their family on BBQ and Jesus even traveling to church congregations all over the United States. Gwen’s passion became mentoring and counseling everyone she came in contact with.  Her beautiful way of loving people sent ripples through the world that she never even knew she touched. 

 After retirement, Gwen and Marion moved to Dumas, Texas for a brief time, where they sprinkled their love and friendliness all around Dumas. Gwendolyn’s last move was to Rusk, Texas (her ancestral home) to live out her years loving big and beautifully with Marion from a cabin in the Piney Woods.

She is preceded in death by: Father and Mother, LeeRoy and Vivien Dudley; daughter Jeannie Beadle and son-in-law Larry Beadle; son-in-law Joe Williams; grandsons:  Laith Peters and Michael Beadle.

She is survived by: husband Marion Gion; brothers;  Neil Dudley and wife Estelle of California and Lynn Dudley of Tennessee.

Also by children: Jackie Williams of Houston; DeWayne Gion and wife Laura of Dumas; Debbie Gion of Rusk; Lenece and husband Larry of Chandler. Also by grandchildren: Dani Eshee and husband Robbie, JoLeigh Haupt and husband Rob, Jeremy Williams and wife Krista, Eric Gion and wife Kristina, Misty Flores and husband Tony, Mark Bruington, Monte Bruington, Loc Peters and wife Kayla

And 26 great grandchildren: Garrett, Hunter, Lane, Taylor, Haleigh, Holly, Harrison, MicKayla, Natalie, Trey, Gunner, Greysen, Linley, Reese, Quinn, Taitum, Ava, L’Wren, Lucia, Leven, Laila, Johnathan, Jaleigh, McKenzie, Joshua, and Laramie; also, by 7 great-great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Friends are invited to visit with the family Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 10 am with burial to follow at the Henry Cemetery, 7698 FM 22, Rusk, TX.  Visitation and funeral will be held at Autry Funeral Home, 1025 SE Loop 456, Jacksonville, TX.