Paula Marilee Duke

Paula M. Duke was born August 18, 1943 to Arthur Lee Duke, Sr. and Pauline Margaret (Miller) Duke in Des Moines, Iowa.

Paula graduated from North High School. She loved learning and that propelled her into a life of an educator. She received her under graduate degrees from Drake University. Paula went on to attain her Ph.D and Masters in Education from Drake, also. She spent the rest of her life imparting her knowledge to the young people she came in contact with.

Paula loved young people and helping them be their best. She taught elementary and middle school students. She was an avid reader and loved all genres of music. Paula was also a community activist. She loved a good cause and if there was something going on - Paula was there. She was a member of numerous organizations (NCBDI (National Black Child Development Institute), I'll Make Me a World executive board, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Nu Mu Zeta Chapter). Paula also was a member of Elim Christian Fellowship Church. But with all the teaching and activism, Paula was still a very private person. She was the backbone of the family. Her family was so important to her. She was close to her children and grandchildren. They went EVERYWHERE together.

On January 20, 2017, Paula answered the Masters call to rest. She was 73 years old. Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, Arthur Duke Jr; sister, Tomette Rose Duke, great grandmother, Mildred Yeager and nephew, Yohnce Clay.

Left to cherish Paula's memory are her children, Anthony Duke of Los Angeles and Venetta Linton of Des Moines; her siblings, Michael (Paulette) Duke, Clyde (Loretta) Duke, Jonna (Harold) Brown, Donald Duke, Arnold Duke, Mildred Duke, Sandy Henderson (Greg Willis) and Virginia (Ricky) Newton; her grand children, Dontrez Parrish, LaTice Parish and Aapri Duke. She also has 2 great grandbabies, Deon Jackson White and Brionna L Parrish along with a host of extended family and many friends.Visitation









Friday, January 27, 2017

10:00am - 5:00pm









Glendale Cemetery

Funeral Service









Saturday, January 28, 2017

Starts at 1:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home