Donnie Dukes Long's Obituary
Donnie Dukes Long, 102, went to be with the Lord with her family at her side on December 27, 2014, after a wonderful life of serving others. Donnie was born on November 19, 1912 in Jessup, Georgia. After moving to Ft. Myers as a teenager with her parents, Perry and Cora Yeomans and brothers Aubrey, Grable, Dempsey and Sherrill Yeomans, she met and married John Dukes in 1935. Donnie was widowed at the age of 37 with four young children when John died on August 3, 1950 due to an accident at his work with Florida Power and Light. Donnie’s parents and brothers also preceded her in death. Her oldest son, Darryl Dukes, died on February 26, 2014. Donnie remarried in 1971 to Willis Long of Ft. Myers. Willis died on December 7, 2003.Donnie is survived by three children, Donald Carl Dukes of Houston, Texas; Darlene Hay of Ft. Myers; and David Dukes of Yorba Linda, California. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren.Donnie was a truly devoted mother that began working in the Lee County School Cafeteria system in 1951 following the death of her husband, John Dukes. Donnie chose that career path because she loved cooking, but more importantly so that she could work while her four young children were in school and be home with them when school was out. Donnie retired in 1976 after a career of 25 years. Being part of the school food program was a natural for Donnie as she loved to cook and was known for great recipes. However, few people could duplicate her great cooking because when she was asked for her recipes, she would respond with “Oh, just a pinch of this or a touch of that . . .”Donnie was a loyal 65 year member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, where she faithfully attended and was always known for tithing no matter how meager her personal resources as a young widowed mother struggling to raise four children on a cafeteria worker’s salary. But she never wavered in her commitment to serve and support God and His work.Donnie will be remembered for her love of family, her service to others and for the example she set as a Christian Mother that embraced her responsibility to be a role model for her children to follow.Donnie’s family would like to pay a special tribute and heartfelt thanks to the staff at HealthPark Care Center in Ft. Myers for the incredible care they gave to Donnie for the past 8?? years. Words cannot describe the compassionate and loving work of this great staff, and especially her special care giver affectionately known as “B.”Visitation for Donnie Dukes Long will be held at 1:00 p.m. and services at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30th at Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 1589 Colonial Blvd in Ft. Myers. A reception will immediately follow the service at Memorial Gardens. Donnie will be buried at Ft. Myers Cemetery. Graveside service will be private.
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