House Resolution 228
By: Representatives Hugley of the 141st, Bennett of the 94th, Bazemore of the 69th, Miller of
the 62nd, Cannon of the 58th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Nellie Dunaway Duke on January 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Nellie Dunaway Duke was born on March 8, 1931, in Cave Springs, Georgia,
a beloved daughter of Jack and Emily Broom Dunaway; and
WHEREAS, she spent her early years in Rome, Georgia, where she attended Girl's High
School and played basketball during a time when female players were restricted to half-court
positions, excelling as a running guard through her skill and determination; and
WHEREAS, upon graduating from high school at 16, she played semi-professional women's
basketball for two years before meeting and marrying Henry Duke in December 1948, with
whom she shared 66 years of loving marriage; and
WHEREAS, Nellie Dunaway Duke was a tireless advocate and champion for women's rights
who played a pivotal role in the efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Georgia and
served for decades as the chair of the Georgia Commission on Women, often using her
homemade "Nellie's Jellies" as a calling card to engage lawmakers and governors; and
WHEREAS, beyond her advocacy, she was a dedicated servant leader who worked as the
director of Christian education for the First Methodist Church in Carrollton, the director of
the Teen Club at the Carrollton Recreation Department, and the West Georgia regional
director for the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, she was blessed with five wonderful children, Gary, Carol, Kenneth, Michael,
and Alan; ten outstanding grandchildren, Jonathan, Jessica, Jennifer, Jesse, Seth, Sarah,
Emily, Amber, Ben, and Hannah; and ten magnificent great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Nellie Dunaway Duke will long be
remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
had the great fortune of knowing her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Nellie Dunaway Duke.