OBITUARY FOR MRS. RUTH MARJORIE WHITE DUKE
Ruth White Duke of Virginia Beach, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on November 7, 2022, at the age of 94. She was born in Hampton, Virginia, on December 12, 1927, and was the eldest child of the late Mr. George and Mrs. Lucille White. She was a native of Mathews County, Virginia.
At an early age, Ruth joined the First Baptist Church of Mathews and embraced Christian principles which would help guide her throughout her life. She received her public school education at Thomas Hunter High School in Mathews, graduating in 1944 as valedictorian. Subsequent to high school graduation, she entered Virginia State College (now University) and majored in Business Education.
Always desirous of teaching, Ruth left Virginia State to work at Lunenburg High School in Lunenburg, Virginia. During the three years she worked there, she organized the first Business Department and was the sole teacher. Summers were spent at New York University pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in business education which she received in 1951.
Ruth taught in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, for a year and a half. During that time, she married her college sweetheart, Everette L. Duke, on June 27, 1953. She joined him in East Lansing, Michigan, where their first son, Everette, Jr., was born in 1954. After Everette received his Ph.D., he and Ruth returned to Virginia, where Everette began his 45-year career at Norfolk State College (now University). Their second son, Cecil, was born in Norfolk in June 1956.
Ruth was a homemaker for several years while Everette Jr. and Cecil were toddlers. She subsequently worked for the U.S. Government for several years and for the National Maritime Union for approximately one year. In 1962, Ruth began teaching in the Norfolk Public School System. During that time, she taught at Jacox Middle School and Norview High School; she was one of two African American teachers assigned to work at Norview in 1966. She served her last years of employment at Norview as Business Department Chairperson and retired in 1986.
Ruth held membership in numerous professional organizations, including EAN, NEA, AVA, VVA, NBEA, and ACT. Social organizations have included Jack and Jill, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; The American Bridge Association; and The Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club., Inc. Ruth was also listed in Who’s Who for Black Americans.
Our loved one has volunteered her services through the years by coordinating the Mobile Meals Team for her church, serving on the Girls Inc. Board for many years, and working at the former Norfolk Community Hospital. At Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church, she was the recorder for 20 years, served on the Pastoral Relations Committee, volunteered in the Church Office, and held membership in The Boosters Ministry, The Courtesy Guild, The Trustee Ministry, and The Wednesday Evening Bible Class. In 2005, The Women’s Fellowship honored her as an “Unsung Hero.”
Among Ruth’s hobbies were gardening, traveling, playing cards, sewing, and cooking. Many of us will remember the hot rolls and other goodies prepared in the Duke kitchen. Throughout her lifetime, Ruth White Duke exemplified the qualities and character of a gracious, strong, giving, and kind Christian woman.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband of 53 years. She leaves two sons, Everette L. Duke, Jr. (Sharon), Cecil Duke (Wendy), seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Evelyn W. Brissette and Dr. Sylvia W. Keene, one brother-in-law, Dr. Floyd Keene, six nieces, five nephews, a goddaughter, and a host of other relatives and friends.
It was Ruth's wish that any gifts or donations be sent to: Dr. Everette L. and Ruth W. Duke Endowment Fund, Office of Institutional Advancement, c/o Jacqueline Smith, Box 9027, Storum Hall, 1 Hayden Drive, Virginia State University, VA 23806. If donating via check, make payable to VSU Foundation c/o Dr. Everette L. Duke & Ruth W. Duke Endowed Scholarship Fund. Online contributions can be made at the VSU.edu website, click on GIVE, choose "Other" in the dropdown menu and enter the endowment name above.