Marsha Harris Rudolph

Marsha Harris Rudolph, 81 of Valdosta, passed away on January 21, 2021. Born in Thomasville, GA in 1939 to the late Jackie Studstill Harris & Melville “Pappy” Harris, Marsha moved at an early age to Valdosta Georgia where she spent most of her life. She was a member of the First United Methodist church and a graduate of The Valdosta High School “Class of 58”. While at VHS she served as President of the student council and Gamma Tri-Hi-Y, was named senior superlative, won the Miss VHS Beauty contest, and was the Head Football cheerleader for a Wildcat team that won the state championship.
Marsha graduated from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 1962 with a degree in Elementary Education. She was named “Miss Wesleyan” and was a Senior Superlative, President of the Student Government Association, and was a member of the Purple Knight basketball, swim, and soccer teams.
After graduation from Wesleyan, Marsha moved to Atlanta where she taught elementary school. It was in Atlanta that she met her husband of 56 years Jack Rudolph. Marsha followed Jack to Boston and Miami and then Jack followed Marsha back to Valdosta, where they started a family and became an integral part of the community for over 50 years.
Marsha was active in the Junior League, owned a clothing store, played piano at the First United Methodist church, and loved playing bridge with her friends. She was always there for her husband and children’s ballgames cheering them on with an unbridled passion that only led to one ejection from a stadium (Fenway Park). In 1986 she started the Caring Christmas Tree at First United Methodist Church that is still active today and has provided gifts for thousands of children in the community. Upon retirement, her passion was teaching children to swim, which she did well into her 70’s.
Marsha is preceded in death by her husband, John Lawrence (Coach Jack) Rudolph. She is survived by her sons, Russell Dodd Rudolph (Megan Bracken) and Coleman Harris Rudolph (Shannon Donnelly); grandsons Harris, Jake, Thompson, Bennett and granddaughter Ella Grace; great grand-son Beau; and sister Carol Harris Barker (Sirois). Marsha will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother (great), sister, friend, musician, and Wildcat.
A funeral for Marsha will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at First United Methodist Church. Dr. Anthony McPhail and Rev. Brinson Barker will officiate. The service will be livestreamed from the church. To access the livestream please see the obituary at www.mclanecares.com. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LifeBridge Missions, http://www.lifebridgemissions.org, or by mail to P.O. Box 3703, Valdosta, GA 31604. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home

This service will be live streamed. To view the service please click on the Tribute Wall Tab above. The live stream will begin 10 minutes prior to the service starting time.