JAMES EARLY WAYNE DUDDING

James Early Wayne Dudding, surrounded by his family, slipped quietly from his earthly home to greet his heavenly Father on July 17, 2026. James had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, so the moment he passed, he went to be with Jesus, where pain is no more. James was born on January 14, 1937, and was the second son of the late Joe Bern and Mary Margaret Williams Dudding of Waiteville, WV. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Ervin Eugene Dudding, and his wife, Reba of Pembroke, VA, and Donald C. Dudding of Waiteville, WV; brothers-in-law, Norman Harris of Covington, and Donald Drummond of New Castle, VA; sister-in-law, Carolyn Sue Dudding of Narrows, VA; and a nephew, Dwayne McPeak of Walkertown, NC. James is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Betty Fisher Dudding; his beloved children, daughter Pamela J. Dudding, and son Richard (CB) W. Dudding and wife Laura, both of New Castle, VA; his precious granddaughter, whom he loved dearly, Olivia Brooke Dudding Slusher and husband, Jonathon of New Castle, VA; his four great-grandchildren, who brought him tons of joy: Maeleigh Brooke, Brayden James, Elliana Phonix, and Emmabella Frances Slusher. James is also survived by his brother, Joe C. Dudding of Narrows, VA; Mary Francis Harris of Covington, VA; Rachel (Howard) Elmore of Covington, VA; Una Lake Drummond of New Castle, VA; Edith (Charles) McPeak of Walkertown, NC; Debra (John) Carter of Roanoke, VA; and Clara (Wayne) of Salem, VA. James came from a large family, so he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. James was a simple man who loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and working on the #02 race car. He put a deer in the freezer every year and canned vegetables from his garden. He also loved playing music and would be at his homeplace in West Virginia, playing with his dad, Uncle Robert, Uncle Claude, and his brothers. He also enjoyed playing with Charles and Alvin Brickey, Buddy Garman, and other folks who would stop by to play. James was a true fighter. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1950s and 1960s. He battled heart disease in the 1990s, undergoing triple bypass surgery, which unfortunately was unsuccessful. Then he developed cancer in 2002, and it became an ongoing battle—first in remission, then recurring elsewhere. He fought a long, hard fight. The family wishes to thank our hospice personnel from the bottom of their heart: Donna Mitchel, his nurse, and Pam Hinkle, aide (our little red-headed Pam), who took care of him every week. Also special thanks to Laurie Cooper, who came every week and helped James. She is loved like a daughter, and to Brandon Slusher, who is considered a second son to James and Betty. Brandon was wonderful; he would come at a moment’s notice and help get James up off the floor when he would fall or help move him from room to room. (All he wanted was a glass of Nana tea.) Love you, big guy. Rest in peace, sweet husband. You were an outstanding man. A funeral service to celebrate James' life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the Paitsel Funeral Home Chapel in New Castle with Pastor Don Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery in New Castle. Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service at the funeral home. Paitsel Funeral Home in New Castle is serving the family of Mr. Dudding.