Viola was born to the late Viola Bailey-Barron and the late William Austin in Philadelphia, Pa. She was one of fifteen children born to this couple. She is lovingly known as "Bunny."
Bunny grew up in a loving Christian home where her father was a minister and her mother a Mother of the Church. She was very active in Rome Emmanuel Baptist Church from her youth to adulthood.
Viola was educated in the public schools in Philadelphia PA. After high school she worked as a pieceworker in various dressmaking companies. She completed her work in dressmaking by becoming an excellent wedding gown assembler.
She then decided to apply to the post office, where she worked for many years. During her tenure at the post office she met and married Roosevelt Swint on December 25, 1966.
"Bunny" then decided to join the US Army where she became a career military person. She served in Japan, Korea and her last station was in Hawaii. She was injured while on duty and received a medical discharge . After her military discharge, she took on "the career of her life."
She accepted her call to preach in Okinawa, Japan in 1982.
Viola was an author of a children’s book “Jude’s Letter Written So Wee People Can Understand” January 1990). Because it is imperative to know the word to teach. While in the military, on May 6, 1990, Viola earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Technology with Specialization in Computer Science from Wayland Baptist University, Honolulu, Hawaii. She earned her Master of Divinity degree on May 20, 1995 from the International College and Graduate School, Hawaii Campus.
After serving as Associate Pastor of Newtown Church of God in Aiea, Hawaii, she began full-time evangelism at the end of 1995. She traveled around the world spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. She enrolled in Shiloh Theological Seminary in Virginia and was conferred with a Doctorate of Divinity and a Doctorate of Christian Letters in October 1997.
Viola was married to Irvin June 7th 2013, in Philadelphia PA.
Viola’s emphasis of her faith was, "Pouring into others what God and others have poured into me." Her favorite scripture was, The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:19
Viola leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Irvin Dukes, one daughter Elvira Swint, one son Irvin Dukes III (Arlene Dukes), three sisters Alberta A. Jordan, Edith A. Jones, and Barbara A. Taylor, two grandsons Charles Edward Swint and Tyree Dukes, 2 sisters-in-law Rosa Christian (Walter Christian Jr.) and Joann Austin, 3 brothers-in-law, James Dukes, Eddie Dukes, a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends.
Sorrowfully submitted,
The family of the late Viola Dukes
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