Ainsworth Gatewood Dudley

Ainsworth Gatewood Dudley, Medical Doctor and Brigadier General, was born in Americus, Georgia on 5/25/1938 and passed away in his home in Americus, peacefully with his wife by his side, on 2/5/2025. He lived a long and full life. He was the second son to the late Ira Antoinette Gatewood Dudley and James Crawford Dudley, both from Americus. He was the little brother and is survived by the person he admired most in this world, James Crawford Dudley, Jr. MD. He spent a wonderful childhood in Americus that grounded him to this place, and he could tell many a tall tale, most often including his lifelong friend of over 80 years and is survived by, Henry Lumpkin Crisp. He was the proud graduate of Americus High School (Class 1956), went to Georgia Southwestern College (1956-58), and graduated from the University of Georgia (1959), He remained a lifelong Bulldog fan.

It was during his time at UGA that he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Faye Thomas of Americus, deceased 2015. They grew up together and had a glorious marriage for many years, living in Athens, Ga, Memphis Tn, New Orleans, LA, London, England, and back to Americus. During this time, they were students, young parents and adventurers. Gatewood completed a medical degree at The University of Tennessee in Memphis (1962), OB GYN residency at Tulane University Charity Hospital New Orleans (1968), Air Force Flight Surgeon in London, England (1968-1971), and a Fellowship in Gyn Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA (1973-1974). Together they had 4 children: Woodrow Thomas Dudley (Annie) of Orlando, Fl, Sissy Dudley Ledbetter (Steve-deceased) of Thomasville, GA, Ainsworth Gatewood Dudley, Jr. (Angie) of Atlanta, GA, and Shannon Dudley McQueen (Chap) of Burlington NC. He moved his young family back to Americus in 1971.

Gatewood was able to do what he felt he was called to do in Americus. He was a man of service, deeply driven to serve his family, friends, community, patients, state and country. He only wished to leave the world slightly better than it was when he entered it, and he can rest in peace knowing that he succeeded. He delivered countless babies, day and night. He cared for thousands of women through illness and cancers. He shared his talent with medical students and residents at Emory University, Mercer Medical School, and Harvard Medical School, where he was awarded with many academic honors, published one book and several chapters of others, and presented numerous lectures. He served in multiple leadership roles at Sumter Regional Hospital, Sumter County Hospice, Emory University Hospital Gynecology Services, Georgia Southwestern College Foundation, Sumter Historic Trust, and Calvary Episcopal Church among many others. He was most proud of his long military service, retiring as a Brigadier General Georgia Air National Guard and Retired Colonel United States Air Force, after almost 40 years of service.

But, Gatewood didn’t just like to work hard. He had an enormous appetite for life. When he returned to Americus to establish his practice, he met the one true love of his life, Cynthia Friga Karrant Dudley. They enjoyed over 42 years of marriage: traveling the world, entertaining countless friends, building beautiful homes in Americus, St. Simon’s Island, Ga, and Paris, AK, gardening, painting, riding horses, playing tennis, and worshipping at Calvary Episcopal Church. Together they built a gracious life, filled with long walks, great meals, warm fires, loving dogs, friends, family, drinks and a cigar on the porch, beautiful gardens, a good laugh, and 11 grandchildren: Thomas Dudley Ledbetter, Tyler Jackson Ledbetter, Steven Robert Ledbetter, Sarah Gatewood McQueen, Emma Chapman McQueen, Robert Dudley McQueen, Harper Barrow Calhoun, Ainsworth Gatewood Dudley, III, Jeremy Jose Taveras, Maedell Mercedes Dudley, and Woodrow Thomas Dudley, Jr. To them he was their Pawpaw; to him they were the perfect excuse to sneak off to Monroe’s.

His family extended to his in laws in Arkansas: Elizabeth Sue Maddox, Bobby J. Friga, Dee Friga and their families, sharing wonderful memories in the mountains overlooking the Arkansas River. He is also survived by multiple nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews in Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Gatewood will be greatly missed by everyone he touched in this life. He was a giant of a man and would have kept living, loving, and giving if his big, soft, wonderful heart had allowed. He can rest in peace knowing he did what he set out to do; he lived, he served, he loved, and he was loved, and the world is a little better for it.

Funeral service, with full military honors, will be conducted at Calvary Episcopal Church with internment in the memorial garden and a celebration to follow in the church parish hall on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2:00PM. The family will be receiving guests at the home, 112 Peacock Aly, Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 4-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation:

Calvary Episcopal Church

408 South Lee Street

Americus, GA 31709

Georgia Southwestern Foundation, Lillie Josey Dudley Nursing Scholarship

PO BOX 926

Americus, GA 31709

St. Joseph School-Friga Scholarship

25 South Spruce Street

Paris, AK 72855

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Dr. Ainsworth Gatewood Dudley.