Eloise Duke Program

Obituary

Mrs. Eloise Gay Dukes transitioned from labor to reward on July 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, extraordinary musical excellence, dedicated service, and unconditional love.

A native of Miami, Florida, Eloise was born on November 2, 1940, to Rev. Dr. Samuel L. Gay, Sr. and Mrs. Inell Howell Gay. She was the only daughter among six children and was dearly loved by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, James Lloyd Gay, Samuel Lamar Gay, and Kenneth Gay. Music was woven into the fabric of the Gay family. Under the guidance of her father, who faithfully served as choir director at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church before answering the call to ministry, music became both a ministry and a way of life. Recognizing Eloise’s extraordinary gift at just five years old, her parents began cultivating her piano studies with accomplished classical and church musicians.

By the age of nine, Eloise had already begun using her gifts in ministry by organizing a choir at her father’s first pastorate in Boca Raton, Florida. As her reputation grew, she was frequently called upon to accompany choirs, soloists, and churches throughout the Miami area.

Eloise attended Miami Northwestern High School, where her musical talent flourished under the direction of distinguished music educator Arthur Woodard. During her high school years, she performed Vivaldi’s Gloria alongside the University of Miami Orchestra Ensemble. At her graduation ceremony, she captivated the audience with a performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”), bringing great pride to her parents and demonstrating the remarkable gifts God had entrusted to her.

Following high school graduation, Eloise enrolled at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated in 1962 with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. While at Morris Brown, she served as secretary of the Music Department and was selected to rehearse and accompany the world-renowned Morris Brown College Choir during its four-year concert tours throughout major cities across the United States. She was also active in student government and other campus organizations. Her induction into the 1960–1961 Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities was among her proudest collegiate achievements.

Eloise continued her education by earning a Master of Music degree from Boston University in 1970.

While studying in Boston, she met the love of her life, Mitt Wilson Dukes. Their union was blessed with three children: Mitt Wilson Dukes, Jr., Monica Dukes Jackson, and Melanie Dukes.

Upon returning to Atlanta, Eloise joined the Atlanta Board of Education as a Music Specialist. Mrs. Dukes taught at Herndon Elementary School, Turner Middle School East Atlanta High School, and many more. Her exceptional teaching abilities quickly distinguished her among her peers. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, she inspired thousands of students while mentoring countless music educators through workshops and professional development. Her students performed demonstrations for colleges within the Atlanta University Center, and her Bell Ensemble had the privilege of performing with jazz legend Lionel Hampton and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

A gifted composer, arranger, pianist, director, and educator, Mrs. Dukes demanded excellence while nurturing the gifts of those she taught. For more than fifty years, she composed and arranged music for schools, churches, and community choirs. Her adult community choir, Praises Unlimited, earned the distinguished honor of performing by invitation at the former Atlanta Memorial Arts Center.

Faith remained the foundation of Eloise’s life. In 1964, she was called to serve at Flipper Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church as Director of Choirs, faithfully leading the music ministry for 32 years.

Her service extended far beyond music. She served as a Trustee for 13 years, led the Missionary Society as President for three terms, organized and directed the Atlanta North Georgia Missionary Choir for 14 years, supervised the installation of a new public address system, oversaw the installation of the church’s carillon bells, and facilitated the purchase of three organs and keyboards to enhance the ministry of music.

Mrs. Dukes also exemplified a lifelong commitment to sisterhood and service through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. As an active member of the Kappa Omega Chapter, the oldest graduate chapter in Atlanta, Georgia, she faithfully served her beloved sisterhood. In 2025, she was honored as a Pearl Soror, celebrating 65 years of dedicated membership, scholarship, leadership, and service.

Beyond her professional and church commitments, Eloise remained actively involved in organizations that reflected her love of fellowship, education, and lifelong learning. She was a proud member of The Nature Gurlz, the founding director of the Women for MBC Chorale, and an active participant in the Parks Middle School Lunch Bunch, among many other organizations. She embraced life with enthusiasm, remaining active, engaged, and intellectually vibrant well into her later years.

Those who knew Eloise knew a woman of grace, dignity, elegance, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

Whether serving her church, educating young minds, directing choirs, mentoring musicians, or caring for her family, she pursued every endeavor with excellence and deep compassion. Her presence was both commanding and comforting, and her influence will continue to resonate through the countless lives she touched.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted children, Mitt Wilson Dukes, Jr., Monica Dukes Jackson (Nicholas Jackson), and Melanie Dukes; her beloved brothers, Dr. Joseph Gay (Darlene) and Victor Gay (Sharon); her sisters-in-law, Eddye Gay, Eleanor Gay, and Annette Gay; her cherished grandchildren, Montravious Dukes, Mikayla Brittain, Terissa Brooks, and Nicholas Jackson, Jr.; her adored great-granddaughter, Mylah Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, former students, cherished friends, and countless individuals whose lives were forever enriched by her love and guidance.

Mrs. Dukes devoted her life to serving God, uplifting others through music, educating generations of students, and leading with humility, excellence, and grace. Her legacy will continue to echo through every life she inspired and every heart she touched.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23

Order of Service

Prelude Music

Musicians

Processional

Soon and Very Soon

Prayer of Comfort

Clergy & Family

Reverend Dr. Larry W. Hudson, Sr. Presiding Elder

Old Testament Scripture

Psalm 90:1-12

Reverend Delman Smith

New Testament Scripture

Revelations 21:1-4

Reverend George Delilly

Words of Comfort

Bishop Gregory Vaughn Eason Sr.

Selection

Total Praise

Flipper Temple Combined Choirs

Acknowledgements & Resolutions (Limit to 3–5 minutes)

Flipper Temple AME Church

Obituary (Read Silently) Video Selection Words of Reflections (Limit to 2 -3 minutes)

Lillian Roberts - Women’s Missionary Society Cecilia Houston-Torrence - Nature Gurlz, Founder Shirley Barlow - Kappa Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc Billete Owens Ashford - Youth Choirs of Flipper Temple Mary Waller Terry - East Atlanta High School Alumni Women for MBC Choral Musical Presentation Dr. Joseph Gay - Gay/Dukes Family Representative

Selection

To God Be the Glory

Kathye J. Gary, Soprano Accom. Karen Thomas

Eulogy Recessional

Pastor Elijah S. Shafah When We All Get to Heaven/I Shall Wear a Crown

Flipper Temple Combined Choirs

Postlude

INTERMENT

Monte Vista Biblical Gardens Cemetery Atlanta, GA

REPAST

The family invites you to join them immediately following the interment for a repast as we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Eloise Gay Dukes.

LOCATION

Flipper Temple AME Church Fellowship Hall 580 Atlanta Student Movement Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30314

Her children rise up and call her

blessedProverbs 31:28

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be

praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Though the clouds may hang over There will be a brighter day In that land, they call Heaven God shall wipe all tears away No more sorrow, and no more weeping Peace and joy, everyday For beside Life’s crystal river God shall wipe all tears away Oh the Joy of meeting Jesus Mortal tongues can not portray For we know when we behold Him God shall wipe all tears We shall behold the Lamb of God Sitting on the throne There’ll be no more crying, No more weeping Trouble will be gone Hallelujah!

There’ll be joy forever more When we reach that other shore

The Other Shore - Song Lyrics by Luther Barnes

Acknowledgements

The family of Mrs. Eloise Gay Dukes gratefully acknowledges the many expressions of love, prayers, kindness, and support extended to us during this time of bereavement.

Your comforting words, thoughtful acts, floral tributes, calls, visits, and prayers have brought us strength and peace as we celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved mother. We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love from family, friends, church members, former students, colleagues, sorority sisters, and all whose lives she so graciously touched.

The Family of Mrs. Eloise Gay Dukes

Pallbearers

Montravious Dukes Joseph Sirdastion Gay John Michael Gay Gregory Dwight Gay Marc Derek Gay Victor Glenn Gay, Jr. Kennard Douglas Gay - Honorary Patrick Murphy Gay – Honorary Derrick Gay – Honorary

Services Entrusted To Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc. 492 Larkin Street, Southwest, Atlanta GA 30313

Program by Graphics In Atlanta