Born in Spartanburg County, he was a son of the late Marvin Rudolph, Sr. and Carrie Strange Pettit. He was a member of Word of Life Ministries in Simpsonville where he was a member of the prison ministry team. He was a veteran of the South Carolina National Guard after 6 years of service. For many years, Rudy was self employed in the flooring business.

Surviving are: his son, Ross (Fran) Pettit of Ware Shoals; his daughter, Darlene (Steve) Sanders of Pelzer; his brother, Sammy (Ann) Pettit of Easley; a sister, Margaret (Jimmy) Langston of Gray Court; six grandchildren, Alicia Ann (Mike) Whitworth, Aaron (Savannah) Sanders, Preston Pettit, Jake (Courtney) Pettit, Luke Pettit, and Rex Pettit; and nine great-grandchildren, Camden Whitworth, Olivia Whitworth, Hudson Whitworth, Brody Whitworth, Everleigh Whitworth, Aspen Sanders, Rowan Sanders, Anna Pettit and Frances Ivey Pettit; one niece raised in the home, Toni (Greg) Frady of Simpsonville, two other nieces,  Teri Henderson and Kimberly Carter; three nephews, Sam Pettit, Jr., Scottie Burkhalter andTracy Burkhalter; great nephew, Josh Frady; and three great-nieces, Kayla Frady, Tiffoni Brown and Brittoni Duty.

Memorial services will be held at 4 P.M. Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Word of Life Ministries, 1023 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends from 3-4 P.M. Sunday at the church prior to the service. Messages of condolence may be made to the family at www.ParkerWhihtePruitt.com