Mildred I. (Franks) Dukes

Mildred Irene Franks Dukes was born January 16, 1943 in Clarendon, Arkansas. She was one of fourteen children born to David ‘Odie’ Franks and Sarah ‘Sadie’ Thomas Franks. Mildred departed this life on July 21, 2021 at Baptist Health Medical Center – North Little Rock.

She was raised in Clarendon, where her love for Christ was established at an early age. She was a graduate of G.W. Carver High School in Clarendon.

Mildred met the love of her life Houston Dukes, Jr., and they were married on June 8, 1964. They were blessed with four children Myra Renee, Michelle Dianne, Michael Daon, and Latisha Taree.

She had a naturally caring heart and would give the shirt off her back, if you needed it. This led her to start her career in home health, where she worked for Care Link Home Care for many years.

Mildred spent her last years devoted to her family. She played a huge role in helping raise her ten grandchildren, who will always cherish the memories they made together. They always knew they could call on her, no matter the situation or the time. Her grandchildren could always come to Grandma’s house. She would be there waiting with her tub of bubble gum.

Mildred was most famous for her banana pudding and sweet potato pies, which she made every year for Thanksgiving. She loved the game show network, always knowing the answers.

She was preceded in death by her parents David and Sarah Franks, eight brothers David Hardy Franks, David Franks, William Lee Franks, Bruce Franks, Walter Edward Franks, Ovie Franks, Lonnie Franks, Sr., and Thomas Franks, and three sisters Ollie Pearl Hicks, Alberta Burns, and Essie Jennings.

She is survived by her husband Houston Dukes, Jr.; four children Myra Renee Hunter of Clarendon, AR, Michelle Dianne (Marvin) Jackson of Holly Grove, AR, Michael Daon (Heather) Dukes, Sr. of Clarendon, AR, and Latisha Taree Dukes of Clarendon, AR; ten grandchildren Byron, Jenee, Shenee, Michaela, Michael Jr., Destiny, Jaidan, Jada, Jordan, and Jaicee; five great grandchildren Brayden, Jaxston, Kyison, Ace, and MaLanhii; two sisters Mary Hill of Detroit, MI and Ermalean (Phil Sr.) Washington of Clarendon, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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