Crady Virgle Dukes

REEVESVILLE - Crady Virgle Dukes, 88, of 119 Crady Lane, died Sunday, February 15, 2009, in Colleton Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at Beulah Baptist Church, 5502 Wire Road, Branchville, SC 29432, with the Rev. Robert Frederick officiating. Burial, with Masonic rites, will follow in Heaton Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Billy Crosby, Chris McAlhany, Dan Hartley, Steve Jefferson, Eric Patten and Robert Soto. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home, St. George.

Mr. Dukes was born February 8, 1921, in Reevesville, the son of Joseph Wimberly Dukes and Mary Ann Hill Dukes. He was the oldest member of Beulah Baptist Church and a member of Harmony Lodge 61, AFM. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired from Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1986. He was an avid deer hunter and a member of the Cattle Creek Hunting Club. He was predeceased by a sister, Marie Dukes Walker.

Surviving are his loving wife of 63 years, Nollie Griner Dukes; three daughters, Diane D. George and her husband, David, of St. George, Rosemary D. McAlhany and her husband, Donnie, of Reevesville, Nancy D. Stanley and her husband, Manuel, of Estill; six grandchildren, Allison G. Hartley and her husband, Dan, of Irmo, Amy G. Jefferson and her husband, Steve, of Elgin, Donna M. Patten and her husband, Eric, of Columbia, Dr. Chris McAlhany and his wife, Hillary, of Columbus, Ohio, Billy Crosby and his wife, Jennie, of Estill, April C. Soto and her husband, Robert, of Estill; one stepgrandchild, Chrissy DeBruhl and her husband, Billy, of Fairfax; nine great-grandchildren, Alex Hartley, Brianna Hartley, Andrew Jefferson, Adam Patten, Brantley Patten, Sophie McAlhany, Dylan Soto, Carter Soto and Bill Crosby; one stepgreat-grandchild, Mariah DeBruhl; and one sister, Sadie Dukes Jackson of Charleston.

Memorials may be made to the Heaton Cemetery Fund, 930 Cross Creek Road, Reevesville, SC 29471.