The book of life opened for Shirley Mae Powers Dukes on July 5, 1943 in Davidson County North Carolina. After a brief illness, at the age of 79, she reached the sunset of her life on December 26, 2022 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Shirley graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington, NC in 1961. Her career included employment with The Singer Company in Thomasville, NC, and Hostess Cakes and K & W Cafeteria in Winston-Salem, NC. She was also employed by the Guilford County Public School System for many years. She attended and participated in many ministries and activities at North Lexington Baptist Church until her health began to decline.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Powers, Sr., and Barbara C. Powers, her husband, Richard Dukes, her brother, James Powers, Jr., and her sister, Teresa Powers.

Shirley leaves to cherish fond memories: her six children, Angela Dukes, Janet Dukes Moss, Mark Dukes, Charlene Dukes McMillan, Kareme Dukes and Richard Ashley (Gena Robinson); grandchildren, Mario, Malitta and Tecora Dukes, Carlos and Christine Moss, Sebastian and Amari Dukes, Trai, Ebony and Elbert Dukes, Elijah Mobley, Isaiah and Josiah Dukes; 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, Mayfield M. (Rozella) Powers, George C. (Marketta) Powers, Bobby L. (Veronica) Powers and David L. Powers; sisters, Betty P. Mitchell, Carlene P. (Henry) Moore, and Elizabeth Powers.

There will be no public viewing. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM, Saturday, January 14, 2023 at North Lexington Baptist Church, 201 Mize Road, Lexington, NC. Interment at Brooks Temple United Methodist Church, Midway, NC.

For a copy of funeral program click here