Dr. Rudolph Douglas Artis was born August 28, 1928 in Wayne County, NC to the late John and Hattie Thompson Artis. He peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. At an early age he joined Hooks Grove Baptist Church of Pikesville (Wayne County) and remained a faithful member until he joined Providence Baptist Church in Greensboro. As an active member of Providence, he also served as a Deacon, member of the Men’s Fellowship and member of the Male Chorus.
Rudolph received his early education from the Wayne County public school system, graduating Salutatorian of his high school class. He then earned a B.S. degree in agriculture and later earned both an M.S. degree in rural sociology and a doctorate in administrative education from Cornell University.
Prior to his graduate studies, Rudolph was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after being deployed to Korea as a communications officer in the Korean War. After the Army, he then began working as a vocational education teacher, committed 4-H advisor and later became a Hertford County agricultural agent. He ultimately retired from NC A&T as University Registrar in 1989 after serving the university for 22 years as an administrator and sociology professor.
A life-member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he was initiated into the Beta Epsilon Chapter at NC A&T. While healthy, he participated faithfully in the Triad’s Kappa Lambda graduate chapter. In 2020 during a Founders Day program, members of Kappa Lambda and the Alpha Phi Alpha National President recognized him for his 70th year of membership in the fraternity.
Rudolph’s hobbies included fishing, gardening and landscaping his yard. He enjoyed being outside, having developed a passion for farming and working with farm animals while a child.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years Margaret White Artis, daughter Teresa Artis Neal (Nathaniel) and a host of family and friends.
On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, a viewing and visitation will be held from 4PM - 6PM in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel at Perry J. Brown's Funeral Home. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Omega service will be held at 6pm.
Celebration of Life will be held on September 14, 2022, at Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa St., Greensboro, NC 27406. Visitation at the church will be at 1:30pm and the service will begin at 2pm. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 North O'Henry Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27405. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Dr. Rudolph D. Artis Endowed Scholarship Fund at NC A&T https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/28065/donations/new (keyword: Artis)
Professional services are entrusted to Perry J Brown funeral home.
