Barbara Dukes Jones Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Barbara Ann Dukes-Jones (Nikki) was born April 14, 1956 in Florence County, SC and reared in Timmonsville, SC where she attended Timmonsville High School. She was the third child of 11 of the late Jessie Mae and Maxie Lee Dukes. On Wednesday, July 27th 2022 Barbara having walked through the shadow of death answered the Lord's call to come home. Barbara was married and widowed to the late Jeffrey Jones and to this union one child was born, a son the late Darius Malik Isan Jones. After graduating high school Barbara went on to join the US Army where she excelled and graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA on May 19th 1985, and graduated from Drill Sergeant School on March 29th 1990. Barbara also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration. She received various military awards during the course of her service to our country and attended multiple military advanced courses while stationed in the US and abroad. Barbara (Nikki) had a very long and illustrious career where she also received her Airborne Paratrooper wings and Drill Sergeant badge. She later trained soldiers at Fort Gordon, GA helping them to receive their qualification in their advanced individual training for active-duty deployments. Barbara (Nikki) was affectionately known by her soldiers as "The Hurricane", for her strength, tenacity and prowess in guiding them to become next level strong, and confident soldiers. She would also tear up their barracks if they were not up to her standards and make them do drills to perfection until they were transformed into top notch, lean mean fighting machines. Barbara (Nikki) earned an expert marksmanship badge for her expertise in weapons and grenades, she received many Army Commendation Medals and Achievement awards for her commitment to excellence in physical fitness. Her other awards include, but are not limited to her Good Conduct Medals, being named Drill Sergeant of the Year for her command in 1991 at Fort Gordon, GA, earning her Airborne Jump Wings at Fort Benning, GA and numerous awards during her tours of duty in the United States, Germany and Korea with distinction, where she set the bar as an exemplary blueprint for all non-commissioned officers, her peers and senior commanders. Barbara (Nikki) retired with a rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) after 22 years of dedicated service to the US Army. She went on to receive her real-estate license and became a real-estate broker in Fayetteville, NC. Barbara (Nikki) was awarded a Community of Heroes Achievement Award for her devotion to helping fellow veterans reacclimate after their discharge for the Armed Services. She was a dedicated Sister of Chapter #113 Eastern Stars, and a member of the Light of the Morning Calm Assembly #370 Golden Circle where she was awarded a certificate of appreciation May 1999 for her dedication to the Sisterhood and charitable service in their communities. After returning to her hometown Timmonsville, SC to enjoy her retirement from military service, she selflessly dedicated herself to Bethlehem Baptist Church for 28 years and became a pillar in the community. She was the neighborhood “Auntie” and everyone was always welcomed to a home cook meal, a kind word of encouragement or maybe even a threat to beat your butt. She never met a stranger and was always courteous, and respectful and would always say yes sir or yes ma'am even if she knew them. Her children and family were the light of her life, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for any of them. She was the most honest, sincere and loving person one could ever meet. She loved beautiful and sophisticated pieces surrounding her which she collected during her travels locally and abroad. She had amazing taste in everything she acquired or assembled. Her decadent style was immeasurable, and no one could do Christmas tree decorating or baking as she could with such love and attention to each detail. She loved spending time with her family especially during the holidays with a house full this is when and where our fondest memories were made. Her smile and aura were infectious and would instantly draw you in with the encouragement she would offer. Her propensity to articulate through her art of decorating and singing would cause anyone to want to be in her presence. Loving, kind, intelligent, charitable, hardworking, strong-willed and sophisticated is how we saw her. There will never be another "Lady Nikki" and we will miss her sorely. Her mother, father, son (Darius Malik Isan Jones), sisters (Gloria Follett and Maxine Dukes Wade) and three nephews preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memories: whom she loved dearly, her son Mr. Recarlo Demaine Dukes and daughter Ms. Tomenika Jesicena Dukes both of Florence, SC. Elder Frank (Martha) Dukes, and Mr. Jeffrey Dukes of Timmonsville, SC, six sisters, Ms. Daisy Dukes of Lynchburg, SC, Mrs. Patricia Tucker of Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Pamela Dukes and Ms. Sandra Dukes of Florence SC, Mrs. Laura (Ed Lee) Dickson of Patterson, NJ, and Ms. Alfreda Dukes of Alpharetta, GA. Two Aunts Mrs. Maella Virginia Price Cooper of Florence, SC and Mrs. Minnie Wilson Carter of Darlington, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Barbara Dukes Jones

July 27, 2022