25 LC 112 2894
House Resolution 228
By: Representatives Hugley of the 141
st
, Bennett of the 94
th
, Bazemore of the 69
th
, Miller of
the 62
nd
, Cannon of the 58
th
, 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
H. R. 228
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served for decades as the chair of the Georgia Commission on Women, often using her
14
homemade "Nellie's Jellies" as a calling card to engage lawmakers and governors; and15
WHEREAS, beyond her advocacy, she was a dedicated servant leader 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, Jennifer, Jesse, Seth, Sarah,21
Emily, Amber, Ben, and Hannah; and ten magnificent great-grandchildren; and22
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Nellie Dunaway Duke 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that26
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Nellie Dunaway Duke and27
express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized29
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the30
family of Nellie Dunaway Duke.31
H. R. 228
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