Rev. Ernest Dukes' Obituary
Rev. Ernest “Earnest” Dukes, 90, of Florissant, MO died peacefully on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at NHC Healthcare, Maryland Heights MO. He was born August 28,1930 and the youngest son of Edmond Dukes and Ann Johnson-Dukes. He was a native of central Arkansas for 84 years, where he operated his landscaping and custodial services businesses. He was a current member of Grace Bible Church, 1912 Central Pkwy, Florissant, MO, a former member of St. Peters Rock Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR, and former pastor of Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR. Rev. Dukes loved reading the bible, eating good food, and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Edmond Dukes and Ann Johnson-Dukes; stepmother, Willie G. Thomas-Dukes; brother, Louis Dukes; sisters Marie Dukes Franklin-Brown and Alice Parker; daughters, Patricia Ann Dukes, Marilyn Rose Dismuke.
Cherishing his memory are his loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy Mae Johnson-Dukes of Florissant, MO; sons Earnest (JoAnn) Dukes of Little Rock, AR, Edmond (Sophia) Dukes of Kansas; daughters Joyce Marie White of St. Louis, MO, Valerie (Tommie) Keener of North Little Rock, AR, Alana (Paul) Lewis of Florissant, MO, and Yvette (David) Holt of Florissant, MO; sister J. Farrish of San Jose, CA and a host of grand-children, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives, close friends, and loved ones.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at McClendon Mortuary from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12140 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63033. Rev. Dukes will be buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery (Lavender Hill) 4947 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115 Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Family asks in celebration of his homegoing that everyone take time to express love and pray for humankind; Rev. Dukes believed in prayer and trusted God with his life.
Rev. Dukes and family would like to thank Peter Kumpe and family, Althea Jackson and family, the church families of Grace Bible Church, St. Peter’s Rock Baptist Church, and Rice Memorial Baptist Church; A Mother's Touch In-Home Health Care (Doriann, Lisa, Julie, and Brenda), the staff of NHC Healthcare Maryland Heights, Dr. T. Schuerman of BJC Medical Group at Northwest HealthCare and his wife Debbie, Dr. A. Davis of Washington University Nephrology, DePaul Hospital, SSM Health Hospice Care, McClendon Mortuary, and Bellefontaine Cemetery.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5.
What’s your fondest memory of Ernest?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ernest?
Share a story where Ernest's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ernest you’ll never forget.
How did Ernest make you smile?

