Annelle Dent McDuffee

1933 - 2025

Annelle Dent McDuffee, 91 died peacefully Saturday June 14, 2025, in her home at Okatie Pines Retirement Community, Okatie, SC following a brief illness. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday June 20, 2025, at Fox and Weeks Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA. Interment will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery.

Mrs. McDuffee was born September 20, 1933, in Douglas, GA to the late Sarah Thrasher Dent and the late Ira Dent, Sr. She was one of seven siblings who were very close. They all loved to sing together and the three "Dent Sisters" sang as a trio throughout the community. Prioritizing God and family over the years they all made family reunions a tradition through several generations.

Annelle was a graduate of Douglas High School and studied education at Georgia Teachers College now Georgia Southern where she assisted in the organization of the Wesley Foundation for college students. She moved to Savannah, GA when she accepted a staff position as Education Director at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in the late 50's. It was there she met and married Reginald M. McDuffee on June 26, 1960. She lived a long life in dedication to God, her family and the service to others. She was an avid reader, sang in the Wesley UMC choir for over 30 years, taught Sunday school, led bible studies and was a longtime member of the Jane Shirah Circle. She served others by visiting shut-ins through the Care and Share program at her church. She worked as a church secretary for several churches in the Savannah area and was an integral part in moving those churches into the age of computers. While living in South Carolina she attended Compassion Christian, Bluffton campus with her family.

She was a dedicated wife, supportive mother and loving grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, the Honorable Reginald M. McDuffee, her son Kenneth Reginald McDuffee, three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Sarah Elizabeth Dent, Harriett Dent Graham (Everett), and Wylene Dent Parker (Aubrey), a brother and sister-in-law Ira Dent, Jr. (Bessie), and sister-in-law Barbara Ward (Joe).

Survivors include her daughters Cathy Pulkinen (Ed), Barbara Joy (Juan "Pepi"), a daughter-in-law Kim McDuffee, Eight Grandchildren, Eli Pulkinen, Jacob Pulkinen, Sarah Pulkinen, Brittany Joy Caldwell (Jay), Kenneth Joy, Nicholas McDuffee, Allison Smith, and Hannah Smith. Also surviving are her sister Robbie Sue Schneider (Ron) and brother Rev. Dr. Joel Dent (Joyce) and many nieces and nephews whom she deeply loved and treasured.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Compassion Christian Church Bluffton campus, "A Seat at the Table Fund" , 55 Al Henderson Blvd, Savannah, GA 31419, or online at https://compassionchristian.com/Give