Ernestine Duke

June 21, 1938 - August 24, 2015

Ernestine Duke, age 77, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Monday evening, August 24, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center. A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. T. Baxter officiating. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends for visitation on Saturday one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Born on June 21, 1938 in Giles County, Ernestine was the daughter of the late Albert and Thelma Goff Owens. She married the love of her life, Fred E. Duke, on November 13, 1958. They were united for 32 years, and from that union had 10 children. Ernestine worked as a cook for many different places but will be remembered most for the love she had for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved flowers and gardening as well as fishing and crocheting. Ernestine was a woman of faith who professed Christ at an early age, and one of her favorite sayings was, "Lord I stretch my hand to thee." She is survived by her sons: Fred S. Duke of Columbia, Christopher (Melissa) Duke of Mt. Pleasant; daughters: Marie (Frank) Hopkins of Columbia, Brunetta Owens of Mt. Pleasant, Terrie (Johnny) Akins of Columbia, Cynthia (Carl) Armstrong of Mt. Pleasant, Bridget Webster of Mt. Pleasant, Kesa Duke of Mt. Pleasant, Cathy Duke of Mt. Pleasant, Daphne (Victor) Alderson of Columbia; brothers: Albert Owens, Jr. of Lewisburg, Frank Owens of Columbia, Clifford "Billy Coon" Owens of Columbia, William "Timer" Owens of Columbia, John Lee Harvell of Texas; sisters: Joyce Owens of Columbia, Josephine Hardison of Columbia, Lucille Waire of Detroit, MI; fourteen grandsons; seven granddaughters; twenty-three great-grandchildren; devoted brother and sister-in-law: Elvin (Patricia) Duke of Columbia; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Albert and Thelma Goff Owens; and her husband: Fred E. Duke. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and son-in-laws. Great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. Granddaughters and great-granddaughters will serve as flower girls. .