Mary Jo Dukes, age 85 of Uvalda passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Mary was born in Screven, GA to the late Mr. Joseph Lee Groover and Mrs. Dalfie Evans Groover. Sweet. Loving and kind were words best used to describe Mary. She always had a smile and a helping hand to offer. She never met a stranger, and all were welcome at her home. She is preceded in death by her husband, Silas Aaron Dukes, brother, Donald Groover, sister, Ruth Crummey, stepsister, Julie Hutchinson, daughter, Bethene Dukes Baxley, and son, Glenn Lamar Dukes.

She is survived by her son, David Dukes (Pam Carter) of Baxley, daughter, Mary Jean Dunlap (Terry) of Eastman, daughter in law, Heike Dukes of Brandon, FL, son-in-law, Wallace Baxley of Baxley, sister in law, Ethel Dukes, Josephine Groover both of Hazlehurst, Nell Dukes of Brunswick. 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren also survive.

Services for Mrs. Dukes will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Hazlehurst Bible Baptist Church beginning at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Manford Gilbert will officiate. Interment will follow at Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.

Grandsons, James Hughes, Harry Hughes, Glenn Dukes Jr., Brandon Dukes, Clint Baxley, Kevin Baxley, Allen Dukes, and Shane Dukes will serve as pallbearers.

Granddaughters, Sandra Hughes, Kelly Dukes, Lacy Etters, Shonda Miller, and Regina Dukes will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family of Mary Jo Dukes can be reached at 402 Henry Wolfe Road in Uvalda, GA 30473.

Wainright-Parlor has charge of arrangements.