john lee dukes
1936-2015
Life Story
Early Life & Growing Up in Newton County
John Lee Dukes was born on June 1, 1936, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Arthur Dukes, Sr. and Rosie Lee Watkins Dukes. He grew up in the rural Lawrence and Newton communities during an era when agriculture, faith, and family formed the foundation of everyday life.
John was raised in a large household with brothers and sisters who shared the responsibilities of farm life and the close bonds of an extended family. Among his siblings were Arthur David (“David”) Dukes, Jr., Flossie Mae Tolbert, Annie Mae Williams, Mary Wilson, Sallie Dukes, Fannie Jackson, and Angie Tolbert.
His childhood coincided with the Great Depression and the years leading into World War II, experiences that shaped a generation known for resilience, hard work, and loyalty to family.
A New Beginning in Michigan
As opportunities expanded in the industrial North following World War II, John became part of the continuing migration of African American families seeking better employment and greater economic security.
He eventually settled in Genesee County, Michigan, making his home in the Flint and Mount Morris communities. Like thousands of Southern migrants who helped build Michigan’s manufacturing economy, John established a new life while maintaining strong ties to his Mississippi roots.
For more than twenty years, he worked at a foundry in nearby Lapeer, earning a reputation as a dependable and hardworking employee. Foundry work demanded physical endurance, technical skill, and perseverance—qualities that John demonstrated throughout his career.
Over the years, he lived on Carpenter Road before later making his home on Briar Rose Drive, where he became well known among neighbors and friends.
A Heart for Service
John believed that serving others was one of life’s greatest callings.
On November 13, 1995, he became a Senior Companion Volunteer, a program that pairs older adults with individuals needing friendship, assistance, and encouragement. He embraced the role wholeheartedly, finding fulfillment in helping others remain independent and connected to their communities.
Those who knew John remembered him not simply for what he did, but for who he was.
He possessed an outgoing personality, enjoyed meeting new people, and never hesitated to offer assistance when someone was in need. Whether sharing conversation, offering encouragement, or simply making others laugh, John had a gift for making people feel welcome.
Finding Joy in Everyday Life
John appreciated the simple pleasures that made life meaningful.
He loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing and gardening, finding peace in nature and satisfaction in watching things grow. He enjoyed traveling, trying new restaurants, and listening to gospel quartet music, whose harmonies reflected the faith and traditions that had accompanied him from Mississippi to Michigan.
These interests reflected a man who valued fellowship, relaxation, and the joy of sharing life’s experiences with family and friends.
Final Years
John spent his later years surrounded by the family and community he had helped build in Michigan.
He passed away on April 25, 2015, at the age of seventy-eight, while receiving compassionate care through McLaren Hospice at Heartland Health Care Center – Briarwood.
A celebration of his life was held on May 7, 2015, at the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home in Flint, Michigan, where family and friends gathered to honor a man whose kindness and generosity had touched countless lives.
Legacy
John’s life reflected the story of many African Americans who carried the values of the rural South into new communities across the industrial North.
He was a devoted father, grandfather, hardworking foundry employee, faithful volunteer, and loyal friend. His willingness to serve others through the Senior Companion Program demonstrated that retirement did not end his desire to make a difference—it simply gave him another way to do so.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jimmy Lee Stanley; his parents, Arthur and Rosie Dukes; two sisters; one brother; and his special friend, Bessie Mae Stanley.
John is survived by his daughter, Alice Faye Stanley, and his son, Dewayne Marcus Stanley, both of Mount Morris, Michigan; his granddaughter, Amber Stanley; his great-granddaughters, Anaiya Jones and Alexzandria Stanley; his sisters Annie (John) Williams, Fannie (Frankie Lee) Jackson, Mary Wilson, Sallie Dukes, and Angie Tolbert; his special friend, Velma Tolbert; and a large circle of relatives and lifelong friends.
Although remembered for his strong work ethic, those who knew John best remembered something even greater—his warm smile, generous spirit, and genuine concern for others. Through his family, his volunteer service, and the friendships he cultivated over a lifetime, John Lee Dukes left a legacy of compassion that continues to inspire those who knew and loved him.
Resting Place
Unknown
Photos/Albums
Sources
- Mississippi birth records and U.S. Census records, Newton County, Mississippi.
- Employment and residence information from public records, Genesee County, Michigan.
- Obituary of John Lee Dukes, 2015.
- Funeral program, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, Flint, Michigan.
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