Juanita Jean Willoughby Dukes, 94, of Decatur, Alabama, passed away on February 7, 2024. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 at Roselawn Funeral Home. The graveside Celebration of Life service will begin at 1:00, at Roselawn Cemetery, with Reverend Peggy McClure officiating.
Juanita Willoughby was born in Ohio County, Kentucky on January 4, 1930, to Ples and Mary Willoughby. She married Bill Dukes on December 27, 1947, and that began her lifelong journey as a wonderful mother and wife to Bill and their four children. She is survived by Ronnie (Vicki) Dukes, Jeff (Ann) Dukes, Sandra (Marty) Barrett, and Pam (Eddie) Pike. She had 9 grandchildren, including Whitt Dukes, Matt (Leah) Dukes, Meg (Weston) Tanner, Lillie (Will Caruso) Pike, Kyle (Patricia) Pike, Jacob (Maria) Bourland, Jake (Riley) Barrett, Hannah (Jack) Stephens. She also had 10 beautiful great-grandchildren.
Juanita and Bill began their life together in Kentucky, with stops along the way in Florida and Mississippi, before landing in their beloved city of Decatur, Alabama in 1957. They joined First Presbyterian Church that year, where she remained until the Church closed in 2023. Juanita was very involved in various civic organizations, including the Jayceettes, the American Legion, the Pilot Club, and was a part of many different Bible study groups, as her faith was most important to her. She really enjoyed her time at the Decatur Morgan Senior Center playing bridge, and she was a part of many different bridge clubs throughout the years. Juanita was also known for her love of quilting, and she was proud of each hand stitched quilt she made. Her main priority though, was her family. She was a champion of the underdog, and throughout the years, her family learned the meaning of unconditional love and family first. She spent her last four years in good health, and in the good hands of her family and friends at Riverside Assisted Living.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ples and Mary Willoughby, her husband of 66 years, Bill J. Dukes, sister Christine Doom, brothers Gerald Willoughby, Kenneth Willoughby, and Larry Willoughby, and her grandson, Peyton Dukes. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests considering a donation to the Mental Health Association of Morgan County (7@7 Run,) Hospice of the Valley, or your favorite charity.
Serving as pallbearers will be Whitt Dukes, Matt Dukes, Kyle Dukes Pike, Jacob Dukes Bourland, Weston Tanner, Will Caruso and Jack Stephens.
The family also wishes to send their love and appreciation to Hospice of the Valley, Decatur Home Care, and all the wonderful people at Riverside Senior Living.
