A proud native Houstonian, Beverly was born on the 19th of October 1949, to Robert Edward and May Del Cronkrite Duke. Beverly attended Grady Elementary, T.H. Rogers Middle School, and Robert E. Lee High School. She graduated from Louisiana State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Beverly had a wonderful childhood growing up in Houston and spent most of her time outside with neighborhood friends. She was a dedicated Bluebird and a Camp Fire Girl. She loved swimming, surfing, and playing golf. She was the first lifeguard at Inwood Forest Golf Club where her father founded and ran the club. She loved singing and was a part of the Southernaires Choir in High School. At LSU, she was on the golf team and a loyal member of the Tri-Delta Sorority, Delta Omega Chapter.
Beverly spent her entire career as an elementary school teacher. She taught at Green Park Elementary and Bissonet Plaza in Metairie, Louisiana. Later she moved to Houston where she taught at multiple schools.
Beverly lived her life prioritizing family over everything. She was a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother. She never met a stranger and always gave to those in need.
Beverly is preceded in death by her father, Robert Edward Duke, and her mother, May Del Cronkrite Duke. She is survived by her brother, Ronald Bowen Duke; her daughter Dina Mavridis, and her husband Michael Pallanez; her grandchildren, Athina, Kallista, Duke, and Hera; and many more relatives.
Services will take place this Saturday, the 2nd of March at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, in Houston. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10am-with the funeral service at 12pm, where Reverend Cliff Ritter of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, is to officiate. Interment is to follow, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
Immediately following, all are welcome to a reception at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, the 28th of February at 10am at Windsor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Duval in Austin, where Beverly resided.
A special service was held on Sunday, the 25th of February at the Templo Votivo del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in Cali, Colombia. Father Cesar Javier Uribe Aritizabal officiated.
Beverly's devotion to friends and family, her never-ending positivity and strength, her beaming smile, and infectious laugh will be missed by all. Her spirit will forever be remembered.
We wish to thank Beverly's extended family, special friends and caregivers who have supported Beverly throughout her life. Each of you made a difference, and we are forever grateful.
"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert A. Heinlein
If you would like to make a donation in Beverly's honor, the family would appreciate it if you donated to one of the following nonprofits:
*The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), https://www.nami.org/Home
*Hospice Austin, https://www.hospiceaustin.org/
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