Deaconess Evelyn Irlene Rudder, age 99, of Forest, Virginia, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, at Forest Health & Rehab in Lynchburg, Virginia. She ran her race with grace. God saw that she was weary and called her home to rest.

She was born on September 13, 1926, to the late Clarence Callaham and Esther Marshall Cheatham Callaham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend John Rudder; her brothers, Clarence Jr., William (Courtney), Rufus, Roosevelt, Collins, and Archie; her sisters, Hattie Lou, Arnia (Vidella), Myrtle, Clara, and Vernelle; her stepdaughters, Yvonne and Claudette; and her granddaughter, Samantha.

Irlene was baptized at an early age and joined St. Luke Baptist Church. Later, she moved to New Jersey, where she became a member of Bethany Baptist Church. After retiring, she returned to Virginia and joined Washington Street Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as a Deaconess. She found great joy in worship, especially singing in the church choir and with the Peaks of Otter Mass Choir. She remained devoted to her faith until her health declined.

She attended school in Oak Mountain in Forest, Virginia, and in the Campbell County Public School system.

In her leisure time, Irlene enjoyed watching her favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys, as well as golf tournaments. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memory devoted nieces, Barbara West and Linda Jackson; grandchildren, Belinda, Charisse, Michelle, Scheretta and Ursula; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors.