"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

2 Timothy 4: 6-8

Joseph Dukes, known as "Coochie," the son of the Late Marvin and Della McCullough Dukes, was born on November 11, 1946. Our Wise Heavenly Father summoned his servant, Joseph Dukes, to eternal rest after an extended period of illness on Friday morning, July 12, 2019 at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC.

Joseph was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg.

Joseph was a member of St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Kingstree, SC and later became a member of his wife's church, Greater Jerusalem A.M.E. Church, Lane, SC, where he served as a member of the Trustee Board. His desire was always to return to his home church, St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Kingstree, which he was able to do in 2018.

Joseph was certified as an Iron Worker. He performed various job assignments in this field for more than twenty-five years. When his health declined, he was employed by Nucor Steel Company. Other employers included Dargin Construction Company and Amoco Industries.

Joseph was joined in holy matrimony to the former Maherlia Sabb for forty-three years. This union was blessed with two children. Prior to this union, Joseph also had three beloved children that he cherished deeply.

Joseph loved and cared for his family and community. He was a cheerful giver to his church, family, and friends. His passion for cooking inspired him to develop his own signature barbecue sauce. He was actively involved in civil and community concerns. He was one of the community members who was honored for the establishment of the Santee-Sutton Community Park.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by four brothers; Joe Dukes, Ernest Dukes, Sylvester Dukes, and Solomon Dukes.

Loved ones left to cherish his precious memories forever are: A loving wife, Maherlia S. Dukes of the home; one daughter, Karen (Shawn) Dukes-Smith of Rock Hill, SC; four sons, Kenneth Dukes of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Shaka (Latonya) Moustafa of Columbia, SC, Joseph Ramon (Tana) Dukes of Lane, SC, and Ernest Dukes of Memphis, TN; three grand-children, Kenari Joy Dukes, Mae Maherlia Dukes, and Kingston Josiah Dukes; two brothers, Rev. Olin Dukes and Sulvester (Lakeisha) Dukes both of Kingstree, SC; two sisters, Roberta Brown of Kingstree, SC and Sarah L. Smith of Greeleyville, SC; one brother-in-law, Rev. George Sabb, Jr. of East Windsor, NJ; five sisters-in-law, Ruthie M. Campbell, Caretha Dukes, and Sarah Sabb all of Kingstree, SC, Jannie Felder of Tampa , FL, and Elizabeth Dukes of Jackson, NC. Mr. Dukes also had several children that he thought of and loved as his own: Bryant O. Bynum, Sade Dukes, Kimberly Burroughs, Tevin Wallace, Cornelius Burroughs, Melqaam Shaw, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.