Virginia K. Duke

Virginia Lee Klapper Duke passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 17, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. She was born, July 15, 1929 to Fred and Amelia Klapper in Coleman, Texas. The family moved to Hearne, Texas where Virginia attended public school and graduated from Hearne High School. She attended and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She met and married the love of her life in, 1950, Bob Duke, honeymooned in Cuba, and then began an amazing 62 years of marriage. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Barbara Stryker and husband Michael, son Jim Duke and wife Tracey; her beloved grandchildren, Michelle Campbell and husband Paul, Shannon Hardin and husband Ryan, Wes Duke, Ashley Duke and Will Ferguson; and her precious great grandchildren, Troy and Virginia Lee Campbell and Regina Hardin; and her numerous cousins and special friends that made her life so joyous.

Virginia is preceded in death by her loving husband Robert (Bob) Duke, son, Bobby, parents, Fred and Amelia Klapper, and parent in-laws, James and Clara Duke.

Virginia was a wonderful, gracious lady with the sweetest and kindest spirit that will be greatly missed. We thank our heavenly Father for blessing our lives with Virginia as she was a loving and giving mother, trusted and loyal friend, and a faithful and devoted servant to Christ. The lives she touched, she made better. The many priceless gifts she gave included spreading her faith and love to many organizations. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, was one of the original mentors of the Garza Teen Parents program and was a mentor to AISD students at Barbara Jordan Elementary school from 1998-2002. She served as President of the Junior Helping Hand from 1975-1977, and Chairman of the Board of its successor, the Helping Hand Home for Children, from 1977-1981, and as a member of the Endowment and Plan Giving Committee, Virginia and Bob cherished dearly the Helping Hand Home for Children, and volunteered numerous hours on Saturday evenings reading to the children.

She also served on the Foundation Board of St. David’s Hospital from 1982-1992, was a member of the Austin Lawyers Auxiliary, where she served as president from 1969-1970, and served on the Ballet Austin Board in 1988. Virginia was, Lay Leader of Tarrytown United Methodist Church in 1991, and enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, as well as a mentor to many in confirmation classes. In 1992, she was appointed to the City of Austin’s Child Care Council. She served as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion form 1984 – 2019, she was named Docent of the Year in 1998. Virginia was a beloved member of many groups including PEO, Sewing Club, and DMC. She enjoyed playing bridge, going to lunch, dinning and visiting with her many friends in Austin and Houston. She loved to travel and rarely said no when asked to do anything that life offered her.

Serving as pallbearers are; Wes Duke, Paul Campbell, Ryan Hardin, Phil Allen, David McDonald, Ricky Alexander, Mike Elliott and Mark Elliott.

A visitation will be on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home from 5:00 -7:00 pm, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. There will be a burial at Oakwood Cemetery Annex, 1600 Comal Street, Austin, Texas with a memorial service following at 11:00 am, July 23, 2021 at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin, Texas and a reception following at the church. If you are unable to attend the Memorial Service it will be Live Streamed: https://www.tumcaustin.church/memorial-serivce

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Helping Hand Home for Children, 3804 Avenue B, Austin, Texas 78751, Tarrytown United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, or to a charity of choice.