Mrs. Minnie Ree "Smitty" Duke

Born in 1926 in Union, Mississippi to Clifton L. and Willie Mabel Smith, Minnie was given her nickname “Smitty” by her beloved husband James Aubrey Duke, Sr. during their courtship in World War II, and was universally known by that name by friends and family alike for the rest of her life. Smitty is survived by their two children, Paula Susan Duke Speir of Dallas, Texas and James Aubrey Duke, Jr. of Diamondhead, Mississippi.

She is also survived by her brother, Boyd Smith of Marshall, Texas, and two grandchildren, Christina Speir and James Aubrey Duke III. Smitty is also preceded in death by her sister, Willie Jean Smith.

Her son was still a teenager at home when her husband passed away in 1977. Although forced upon her, her fierce independence was admired by all, and matched only by her always impeccable appearance.

She was a woman of great Christian faith, and was a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church for over forty years. She had dear friend’s in that church’s Fidelis Sunday School group, with whom she stayed close even after she moved to the Coast for the last four years of her life.

Visitation will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, followed by services at 2:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi.