Vera Ballentine Dukes

     Vera Frances (Ballentine) Dukes passed away very peacefully and surrounded by her family on the evening of April 15, 2024.

     Born in the Ballentines’ Dutch Fork Home, located in Irmo, SC, on March 4, 1928. 

     Wife of over 60 years to the late E. Kenneth Dukes; Daughter of the late George Milford and Eula Mae Ballentine. She spent her childhood years as a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Irmo, SC. After Kenneth and Vera (known as “Dusty” by her friends) relocated to Aiken, SC, in 1953 for Kenneth to join Dupont’s Savannah River Laboratory, she and the family joined Millbrook Baptist Church, where she reared her 5 children, was herself baptized at Millbrook, Baptist Church and saw all five of her children baptized there. She has remained a member of Millbrook Baptist Church throughout her life, although she has been unable to attend in the last several years. She left this earth to be in the presence of our LORD, Jesus Christ.

     Survivors include: Sister, Lauretta O’Keeffe, Matthews, NC; Daughters, Debbie Dukes Wallace; Cheryl Dukes McGee Gilmore; Son, Jeff (Debbie) Dukes, all of Aiken; Grandchildren: Amanda Frances (James) Whittle; Chris (Keri) McGee; Brandi (Chad) Polatty; Evan (Laura) Darr; Adrianne (Justin) Burkhalter; Elaina Darr; Zac Buckner; Great Grandchildren: Nathan (Luana) Whittle; Aaron (Bruna) Whittle; Sarah Frances Whittle, all of New York City, NY; Noah Polatty; Jonah Polatty, both of Jefferson, GA; Lillie Ballentine Dukes, Rock Hill, SC; Grayson Buckner, Tampa, FL; and Sawyer D. Darr, North Augusta, SC; and many nieces and nephews.

     In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Dukes was predeceased by her brother, George Perry (G.P.) Ballentine, Florence, SC; Son, Kenneth Michael (Mike) Dukes; Daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Susan Dukes Darr; Grandchildren, Michael Ryan Dukes, Kenneth Jason Dukes, and Jeffery Lyle Dukes; sons-in-law, David Wallace and Wayne Gilmore; all of Aiken; sister-in-law, Mary Ballentine; brother-in-law, Tom O’Keeffe; sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, Lou Irvin & Norwood Church; William (Bill) DeLoach, Ken (Sonny) Baldwin and Phyllis DeLoach Baldwin.

     Mrs. Dukes was a 1945 graduate of Irmo High School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1948. Known as Dusty by her college friends and later into adulthood, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority. After college graduation, she was employed for a short time at Quarter Master Market Center in Columbia, SC, before becoming a full-time homemaker, devoted mother, and cherished grandmother.

     She was the consummate listener, encourager, confidante, fierce prayer warrior, double solitaire-player, and Sunday afternoon sandwich maker. No child or grandchild left her house without knowing they were the most-favored and best-loved.

     In her younger years, her children could come home from school or play and hear their mother playing the piano.  One of the favorites was the Glow Worm – a bouncing little song that was just as much fun to listen to as it was to watch their mother’s beautiful fingers move across the keyboard.

     No one will replace her.  Mrs. Dukes’ favorite Bible verse that she tried and succeeded to live by was 2 Timothy 4:7-8 New International Version (NIV)  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

     Funeral services will be at 3:00pm on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home on Pine Log Road with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Entombment will be in the Southlawn Cemetery Mausoleum, 4524 Whiskey Rd., Aiken, SC 29803.  The Rev. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III will officiate.  Pallbearers will be: Chris McGee, James Whittle, Chad Polatty, Evan Darr, Zac Buckner, Jonah Polatty, Noah Polatty.  Memorial Pallbearers will be Jeffery Dukes, Jason Dukes, Ryan Dukes.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to Friends of the Animal Shelter (fotasaiken.org).

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC