Mae Mathis Rudolph

Mae Mathis Rudolph, age 77, of Paducah, Kentucky departed this life on August 29, 2010 , surrounded by family at her home in Lone Oak .

Her family will cherish the life lessons she taught them over the years. She was a loving mother and wife who thought through issues and stood by her principles rather than following the crowd.

Mae was born in the Melber community in 1932 and moved with her family to Detroit during World War II. After high school, she passed the Civil Service exam and worked as a secretary at the American Embassy in Washington, D.C. and London, England during which time she traveled extensively throughout Europe. After returning to the United States, she earned a B.A. in English from Murray State University. She also taught herself stenography, became Paducah’s first “machine” court reporter and reported President John F. Kennedy’s speech when he visited Paducah. Mae was an avid Scrabble player and a closet author, writing several witty and humorous short stories which her family will cherish.

Mae leaves behind her husband, Creston Rudolph; sons John Rudolph (wife Krista) and Dan Rudolph (wife Jinmin); grandchildren Bryson, Maegan, and Kylie; mother Clarice Mathis; siblings Carolyn Obermark, Ed Mathis, Harriett Thuesen (husband Jerry), and LaDonna Bailey (husband Raymond); brother-in-law Aaron Rudolph (wife Janelle); several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and many cousins. Mae was predeceased by her twin sister Faye, father Harry Mathis, and an infant son.

Not wanting to occupy a permanent space on earth, Mae will be cremated and there will be no services per her request. The family will hold a memorial at a later date.

The family would like to thank the 6th floor nurses at Western Baptist Hospital; Samantha, Dianna, Cindy and her other caregivers; and Doctors Winkler, Bodnarchuk, and Parish. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the American Cancer Society, 3140 Parisa Dr., Paducah, KY, 270-444-0375.