SR185: SR185 Duke, Nellie Dunaway; condolences

25 LC 112 2928 Senate Resolution 185 By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 44th, Jackson of the 41st, Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Nellie Dunaway Duke on January 28, 2025; and3 WHEREAS, Nellie Dunaway Duke was born on March 8, 1931, in Cave Springs, Georgia,4 a beloved daughter of Jack and Emily Broom Dunaway; and5 WHEREAS, she spent her early years in Rome, Georgia, where she attended Girl's High6 School and played basketball during a time when female players were restricted to half-court7 positions, excelling as a running guard through her skill and determination; and8 WHEREAS, upon graduating from high school at 16, she played semi-professional women's9 basketball for two years before meeting and marrying Henry Duke in December 1948, with10 whom she shared 66 years of loving marriage; and11 WHEREAS, Nellie Dunaway Duke was a tireless advocate and champion for women's rights12 who played a pivotal role in the efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Georgia and13 S. R. 185 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2928 served for decades as the chair of the Georgia Commission on Wo men, often using her14 homemade "Nellie's Jellies" as a calling card to engage lawmakers and governors; and15 WHEREAS, beyond her advocacy, she was a dedicated servant leade r who worked as the16 director of Christian education for the First Methodist Church in Carrollton, the director of17 the Teen Club at the Carrollton Recreation Department, and the West Georgia regional18 director for the American Cancer Society; and19 WHEREAS, she was blessed with five wonderful children, Gary, Carol, Kenneth, Michael,20 and Alan; ten outstanding grandchildren, Jonathan, Jessica, Jen nifer, Jesse, Seth, Sarah,21 Emily, Amber, Ben, and Hannah; and ten magnificent great-grandchildren; and22 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Nellie Dunaway Duk e will long be23 remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who24 had the great fortune of knowing her.25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body26 join in honoring the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke and express their deepest and27 most sincere regret at her passing.28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed29 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the family of30 Nellie Dunaway Duke.31 S. R. 185 - 2 -