Betty Duke

Betty Rae White Duke, aged 94, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully at Rex Hospital on June 19, 2025. Betty was born on September 15, 1930, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to the late Rachel B. White and Hugh E. White. She resided in Bluefield until her family's relocation to Chicago, Illinois, in 1939. She graduated from South Shore High School in Chicago and later attended DePaul University and James Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where she graduated in 1952.

Betty worked in dietary services at LaRue Carte Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1953-1953, Rex Hospital from 1953-1963, and Dorothea Dix Hospital from 1963 until her retirement in 1980. After moving to Raleigh, she married the late Edgar C. Duke on August 10, 1957. During the 1970s, she was actively involved in the North Raleigh Exchange Club booth at the State Fair, distributing and selling salted peanuts in the shell.

Upon retirement, Betty and Edgar relocated to Newport, NC, then moved back to Garner, and subsequently to Raleigh, where they attended services at Ridge Road Baptist Church. After moving to Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in Raleigh, she volunteered within the community, assisting with mail sorting and distribution, preparing for evening vespers, and participating in various activities available at Springmoor.

She is predeceased by her brother, John Milton White. She is survived by her son, Kent Duke, his wife Lueann, two grandchildren, Robert and George Duke, and two great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Greyson Duke. Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Sandra P. White of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and her two sons, stepdaughter Dr. Patricia Duke and her husband Lonnie of Tampa, Florida, stepdaughter Lynda Jahnigen and her husband Bill of Pasadena, Maryland, and stepson Edgar Curtis Duke Jr and his wife Jackie of Largo, Florida. Betty cherished her numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren as her own.

Our gratitude extends to the staff at Rex Hospital 7 West and Heartland Hospice for the excellent care provided during Betty's final week. We also appreciate the staff at  Stewart Health Center for their assistance and care over the past six years.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:00 am at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com