BESSIE LEWIS DUKES

PERRY – Bessie Lewis Dukes, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Funeral Services will be on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., and the Funeral will begin at 3:00 p.m. A Private Entombment will be in the Ascension Mausoleum at Perry Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Bethesda Primitive Baptist Church, 1241 Bethesda Road, Wadley, GA 30477. Bessie was born on April 24, 1932, in Pulaski County to the late Ollie and Edna Lewis. The oldest of thirteen children, she worked at Big Apple Grocery Store for over ten years in Warner Robins where she met Eugene Dukes, who worked for a competitor grocery store, Piggly Wiggly. The couple married and made their home in Perry, where Bessie spent the rest of her life as a homemaker, creating a loving and caring environment in which to raise her family. When the Georgia National Fair arrived in Perry and called for volunteers to work as “Faircrackers,” Bessie immediately submitted her application. That first year at the GNF started a long-time, enjoyable tradition for her that lasted for over twenty-five years, until which time her health prohibited her proficiency. Throughout her lifetime, Bessie continuously delighted in caring for her family. She was a long-time member of Bethesda Primitive Baptist Church in Wadley. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; ten siblings; a daughter, Warnell Harpe Jackson; a son, Jimmy Harpe; and a grandson, Christopher Jones. Left to cherish the memories they made with Bessie are her loving and devoted husband of sixty-two years, Eugene “Gene” Dukes of Perry; her children, Johnny Dukes of Perry, and Janice Dukes (Brian Downie) of Newnan; her daughter-in-law, Denise Harpe of Forsyth; her grandchildren, Jason Harpe (Heather) of Thomasville, Rachel Reeves of Forsyth, Allison Jones of Hillsboro, and Lauren Downie of Newnan; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Leila Mills of Macon, and Gertrude Holloway of Metter; and many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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BESSIE LEWIS DUKES

April 24, 1932 - May 28, 2024