Norma Janell Rudolph, 80, of Memphis, Tennessee died November 2, 2017 after a long illness. Janell loved to read, travel, cook and spend time with family and friends. She pursued her passion for learning by completing dual Master degrees in English and Library science at the University of Memphis, Vanderbilt and even some international studies in France. She then shared her knowledge and passion as she taught school at Briarcrest Christian School and as a librarian at University of Memphis. She traveled extensively with family, with her church and with other groups as often as she could. She visited many places within the United States and internationally with special memories of her time in Paris and London.
Janell was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Lathell Golightly. She leaves her husband of 60 years, Willis "Rudy" Rudolph and two children, Gayle Shepherd (Kenny) and Kerry Rudolph (Donna). She leaves a sister, Joan Goodridge (Hank), 5 grandchildren (Kyle Duggin, Keith Duggin, Ken Shepherd, Whitney Smith and Kaila Freeman) and 14 great-grandchildren. Her family will miss her warm and beautiful smile, her sense of style, her engaging conversations, her cooking and most importantly her companionship and love.
Visitation will be Saturday, November 11, 1p with funeral services at 2p at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery East, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Trinity Baptist Church, 8899 Trinity Road, Cordova, TN 38018.