Odessa Hunt Dukes

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. " — Proverbs 3:5-6

On August 21, 2025, surrounded with the love of her family, Odessa J. Dukes, peacefully transitioned this earthly life for her heavenly home.

On January 22, 1937, as the fifth of fourteen children, Odessa Jean Hunt made her entrance into this world. And, although today, she is not survived by a spouse or children, she had become the cherished matriarch of her large and devoted extended family. Her presence was a pillar of strength, draped in wisdom and filled with warmth such that she shaped and molded her generation and the ones to come thereafter. Her home was always open, her heart ever so generous and, being a woman of few words, when she spoke, her wisdom was sought after and never taken for granted. She was and is a class act and our timeless treasure.

Throughout her life, Odessa, touched the lives of many people with her quiet grace, sharp wit and unwavering dedication to her loved ones. She had a way to bring people together for holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, or simple conversations over a piece of her homemade chocolate cake, icing included and, in doing so, she made sure each person knew and felt like they belonged.

Odessa committed her life to Christ and was a faithful member of Rising Star Baptist Church for many years before joining Holy Ghost Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Michael Langley. She was educated in the Isle of Wight County Public School System and, while in school, Odessa learned of her love for sewing.

She went on to become a seamstress and worked as such for companies like London Fog, The Sewing Factory, and Ames. She was also employed with Food Lion and Boulevard Cleaners; she retired from both companies.

Odessa is preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Olivia Hunt, her former husband, Moses J. Dukes; three brothers; Willard Hunt, Sr., Armistice Hunt and Bobby Hunt; five sisters: Clotel Hunt, Teolar Pace, Ada Jones, Mary Grandison, and Shirley Gray; two Sisters-in-love, Vena Hunt and Jeanette Hunt; and one brother-in-love, Joseph Grandison.

Beloved as the Matriarch, a bonus Mom, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin and a friend, Odessa leaves to cherish a special niece, Leona Murphy; her siblings, Jackie Ray Hunt, Bertha Hunt, Mable Hunt and Beverly Hunt, of Smithfield, VA; her step children; Andrea McCray (Lorenzo, Sr.) of Columbia, SC; Kenneth Dukes (Helen) of Wytheville, VA; and, Pamela Harvin (Baron, Sr.) of West Columbia, SC; and, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, all who will carry her memory forward with much respect and even deeper affection.

The legacy of our beloved, Odessa, will not be found in the writings of a book or as a trophy on a mantle but rather in the lives she shaped, the wisdom she shared with her people and the love she so freely gave to the world. She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered and forever honored.

On Friday, August 29, 2025 viewing will take place from 3-5pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00pm on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Chapel. Interment will follow in Macedonia AME Church Cemetery, Carrollton. Please keep the Dukes-Hunt family in your thoughts and prayers.