Jean Edwards Dukes

Jean Edwards Dukes was born on January 9, 1940, in Atlanta, GA to Charlotte Robertson Edwards and Edwin Fuller Edwards, Sr. ("Red"). Jean was a devout Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She attended North Fulton High School in Atlanta and Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. She married the love of her life, John Charles Dukes, Jr., and began a life of adventure and dedication. The adventures included camping, hiking, and bicycling - - the latter became a passion. She bicycled in 35 states and 9 countries and rode from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean twice. As much as she loved the trips and adventures, it was the people she met and the friends she made along the way that meant the most to her.
Jean was active in community affairs. She was president of Garden Clubs in both Atlanta and Barnesville, GA, and was on the board of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. She was director of the Lamar Unit of the American Cancer Society, board member of Lamar Arts, member of Lamar Lafayette NSDAR, and president of the board of directors of Griffin Choral Arts. Her service to others and love for the community of Barnesville was recognized in 2008 when she and Charles were named Barnesville-Lamar Outstanding Citizens of the Year.
Jean had a great faith in God. Church life, its activities, and involvement were a big part of her life. At St. Ann's Catholic Church in Barnesville, she held many leadership positions, and was named Woman of the Year. She played the organ at St. Ann's for many years and later at St. Peter the Rock in The Rock, Georgia. She is currently a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Dawsonville, GA.
In addition to her husband, Charles, and her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, Edwin Edwards, Jr., and her brother-in-law, Bill Dukes, Sr. Jean felt her greatest gift was her family.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, John and Denise Dukes, Powder Springs, GA, Alyson and David Hidding, Jasper, GA, Sara Beth Dukes, Columbia, MD, Joe Dukes and Julia Byrd, Charleston, SC, and Carolyn Dukes and Chuck Gutshall, Ellijay, GA; grandchildren and spouses are Charlie and Stephanie Dukes, McDonough, GA, Christopher and Kati Dukes, Pensacola, FL, Catherine and Kevin Regan, Marietta, GA, Rachel and Zach Roberts, Knoxville, TN, Christina and Ross Wheeler, Smyrna, GA, Daniel and Jennifer Luke, Dunwoody, GA, Patrick and Alicia Hidding, Suwanee, GA, Andrew Hidding, Jasper, GA, Vince Nieto, Wilmington, NC, Asia Peters and Isla Peters, both of Bangkok, Thailand, and Faye and Josh Trice of Fate, TX. Great grandchildren are Chuck Dukes, Cooper Corley, Emma Dukes, Carter Dudes, Hallie Dukes, Burke Baxter, Everett Baxter, Lane Regan, Logan Luke, Aiden Luke, and Fox Nieto. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Karen Davis Edwards of St. Simons Island and Kathy Hill Dukes of Atlanta, and by many very special nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Saint Brigid Catholic Church at 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, Georgia 30022.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Vincent de Paul for Christ the Redeemer - Financial Aid for needy families, Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club, or a charity of your choice.
St. Vincent de Paul for Christ the Redeemer
991 Kilough Church Rd
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 265-1361
https://osvhub.com/ctrcc/giving/funds/st-vincent-de-paul-christ-the-redeemer
Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club
230 Roberta Dr
Barnesville, GA 30204
(706) 493-6423
https://www.bgcncg.com/barnesville
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, Georgia.