Earl Anderson Duke A memorial service for Earl Anderson Duke will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 4390 Valley Road, Meridian, MS with Rev. Jim Rickles and Rev. Virgil Reeve officiating. He graciously donated his body to science for the teaching and perfecting of medical knowledge and techniques. Mr. Duke, 90 of Meridian died Monday, January 5, 2015 at his home. Earl was born February 16, 1924 and raised in Meridian, MS. He graduated from Meridian High School, and after graduation, joined the United States Army where he served at the Battle of the Bulge, and the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day during World War II. He served his community as a firefighter for the City of Meridian and retired as a Federal firefighter at NAS Meridian. He was a master carpenter and sharpened many saw blades until he was 85. Throughout the years he enjoyed playing Rook with community friends, Billiards and Ping-Pong, and Dominoes with his NAS Fire Department co-workers until well after retirement. He was a great fan of football and especially Atlanta Braves baseball. He loved his church, Mt. Vernon Baptist, and was the sound director for many, many years. Earl was dedicated to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved them dearly. Survivors include his four children, Jeannie Dietl and husband Matthew of Tequesta, FL; Larry Duke and wife Carol of Meridian, Jimmy Duke and wife Susan of Meridian, and Beth Buck and husband Bud of Tuscaloosa, AL; 10 grandchildren, Bruce Cornwell and wife Michelle, Brian Cornwell and wife April, Tracy Towner, Brandy Avera, Bailey Duke, Michael Duke, Shay Manns and husband Joe, Landon Duke and wife Marcie, Crystal White and husband Jamie, Bo Gray and wife Martha; and 18 great-grandchildren, Jackson Cornwell, Andrew, Preston, Chase and Maddie Blu Cornwell, Ava Towner, Olivia and Paden Avera, Anderson Rowell, Colin and Paxton Duke, Taylor and Shelby Sims, Lanna and Steven Duke, Cadence White, Stephanie Jeronymo, and Addi Beth Gray; Brothers-in-law Vrigil Reeve and wife Evelyn of Carol Stream, IL, and George Reeve of Phoenix, AZ, sister-in-law Mary Kathryn Duke of Meridian, Deborah Street and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Louise Reeve Duke, his brother James Duke and his parents James Howard Duke and Bessie Duke.
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