Sheree Natalie Ford Dudley

Sheree Ford-Dudley was born in Hong Je Dong, Sue Dae Moon Ku, Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, February 24, 1958, she made her transition to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 12, 2012. Sheree’s parents, Sergeant Edward A. Ford (deceased) and Enola H. Ford brought her to the United States to live in Charlottesville, Virginia. Anyone who knew Sheree knew that she loved the Lord and she loved music. Her musical studies began at an early age and continued through college. Sheree could play everything from Chopin to Coltrane. She became a very accomplished classical pianist, and then moved more of her focus into gospel music with her religious studies, and later into jazz studies as well. Sheree studied music at the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as at Shaw and Virginia Union universities. She was an All American Scholar at Auburn University. She was a member of Delta Omicron, Delta Phi Chapter and inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. God opened doors for Sheree to serve in multiple faith denominations which led to a new spiritual awakening for her. In 1999 she became an ordained minister at Knights Monumental AME Church in Stockbridge, Georgia where she served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Music. In April, 2007 she joined St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. She assumed the role of Minister of Music for the Chancel Choir, All Saints Gospel Choir and founded The New Beginnings chorale. She was always eager to connect God’s Word to her music ministry. Her favorite hymn was “He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Needs.” More recently she showcased her talent as leader of Sheree & Friends Jazz Group. She put her heart and soul into every note and brought some of the best jazz fusion artists together to local venues. In addition to the endless hours that she devoted to music, she also worked tirelessly for UPS Freight as an Account Manager. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed dancing, bowling and playing cards. She contributed to community service as Vice President of the Charlottesville Education Association and volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Caritas. Faith and family were most important to her . She was a loving daughter and mother. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother Enola H. Ford, her children, Dimitri “TK” Brydie, Addison M. Kirkland and Dominique A.E. Kirkland; her devoted partner Michael Hoggard and his parents, David and Clara Hoggard. There are scores of friends whose lives she touched with a once in a lifetime love.

Tributes

Sheree Natalie Ford Dudley

February 24, 1958 - November 10, 2012