Kaiyana Melissa Dudley

Kaiyana Melissa Dudley was born April 28, 1995, in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of Marc Allan Dudley and Melissa Burton. She passed away after a long illness on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the age of 28 years.

Kaiyana received her secondary education in the Saginaw Public School System and was a 2013 graduate of Arthur Hill High School (AHHS). Kaiyana was a student athlete, a member of the student government, and a top ten student in her graduating class, earning an academic scholarship to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. While at the university, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, she worked as a Social Justice Fellow Facilitator, and a LSA Dean’s Student Ambassador in the College of Literature, Science, & Arts. Kaiyana was very active in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities where she mentored young girls at the Pretty Brown Girls Club. She also served as the chair of the Bronze Elegance Entertainment Club.

After graduating from U of M in 2017, Kaiyana worked as a Reading Interventionist at Francis Reh Academy & Westdale Elementary School, a Beauty Consultant at Mary Kay, and a Lead Teacher at Little Arrows Christian Daycare. Kaiyana’s spiritual journey blossomed in 2020 when she fully committed her life to Jesus Christ. She served faithfully at Christ Image Community Church and enrolled in Bible School at Agape Faith Bible Training Center. She became an “evangelist” in her own right by encouraging everyone she met to come to church. She loved her family and was successful in creating a family tree and encouraging the younger generation to get to know each other.

Kaiyana leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Melaiya Zamar Howard; Parents, Marc (Sonya) Dudley (Eads, TN) and Melissa (Eugene) Burton (Saginaw, MI),; Siblings, Indigo Dudley (Saginaw, MI), Majestik Dudley (Midland, MI) Faith Burton (Saginaw, MI), Solomon Dudley (Saginaw, MI), Azaylia Dudley (Eads, TN), Wisdom Dudley (Eads, TN) & Immanuel Burton (Saginaw, MI). Grandparents, Johnella (Robert) Thomas (Saginaw, MI), Fred (Irene) Hiller Sr. (Holt, MI); Patricia Hiller (Memphis, TN) and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends.

Kaiyana was preceded in death by her brother, Enam Denall Dudley; grandparents, Norman D. Dudley Jr., Dolores E. Dudley, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and loving friends.