Mrs. Stella Mae Reid Reid Dukes

Mrs. Stella Mae Reid Dukes was born to the late Vera and Walter Reid on January 10, 1918 in Pike County Georgia. She was the third child of thirteen born to that union. She married the late Jimmy Dukes in 1936. They were married for over 30 years at his passing in 1970. To the union of Jimmy and Stella was born 10 children. Their offspring have produced a total of 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

On Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 5:05 a.m., God called one of His angels home. Mrs. Dukes transitioned at home where she had been surrounded by family and friends in her final days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons (Greer and Tyrone), one daughter (Betty) and many other loved ones who were waiting for her at the gates.

Mrs. Dukes was a pillar in the Griffin/Spalding County community. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church for over 70 years where she served as an usher and a member of the United Sisterhood. She was a life long member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, American Legion and NAACP where she served as Vice President and President. She was a member of the Mr. and Mrs. Social Club and the First National Bank Traveling Club. She retired from the University of Georgia, County Extension Service in 1983. She held numerous roles with the Griffin/Spalding County School System and Dundee Textile Mills.

She not only raised her 10 children and actively participated in raising their offspring but was instrumental in the lives of countless others. Mrs. Dukes began keeping foster children in her home in the 1960’s. Because of health reasons she could no longer keep foster children beginning in 2006. She opened her home to well over 40 foster children over the years. She was also known to gather neighborhood children and take them to church and community activities. Mrs. Dukes believed that every child deserves to be loved and cared for; taught the word of the lord and how to pray.

To meet Mrs. Dukes would always include a warm smile and a hug. If you wanted to know what style and class were all you had to do was look at her. She would always be “sharp from head to toe”. She was a model that others looked to for what to wear, when to wear it and how to wear it. A shownuff good home cooked meal you could always find when you put your feet under her table. All those that met her knew that she was a virtuous woman and knew the gentleness of her spirit as well as her Christian commitment. “Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Left to cherish her memories are: beloved daughters, Jeanette (Dennis) Hutcherson, Griffin, Ga; Ann Lucier, Griffin, Ga; Betty Washington, Columbia, SC; Janie (Louis) Douglas, Atlanta, Ga; Belissa Raglin, Griffin, GA; sons Richard Dukes, Griffin, Ga; Jimmy Dukes, Augusta, Ga.; John (Lottie) Burnett Dukes, Cincinnati, OH; William (Leanna) Dukes, Griffin, Ga.; Ronnie (Zena) McCord, Senoia, Ga; one sister, Hattie Worthen, Atlanta, Ga; two brothers, Samuel (Mary) Reid and Walter Reid, Richmond, GA; sisters-in-law, Jean Reid and Ruby Lee Reid; her companion for over 25 years, Robert Glover; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly. Her devoted sitters who cared for her as her health began to fail, Ms. Clifferdine Respress and Ms. Annie Bell Lyons. Rest in peace till we meet at Jesus’ feet.

Funeral services for Mrs. Stella Mae Reid Dukes will be held Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd., is in charge of arrangements.