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6507 W. Beaver Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32254


(904) 389-7790


funeralsbymckinney@gmail.com

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Mamie Dukes Fobbs

Service Place: Saint Johns First Baptist Institutional Church
                          1108 East 29th Street 
                          Palmetto, Florida 34221

Service Date:   Tuesday, April 25, 2016

Service Time:   11:00 AM 


“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”

2nd Timothy 4:7

Mother Mamie Dukes Fobbs was born to the union of Rev. Dan and Alfronia Peterson Dukes on January 31, 1923, in Wauchahoota (Alachua County) Florida.  There were 3 other siblings in the family, Rosa Lee, Dan, John and Lillian.  Rev. Dukes was called to pastor a church in Jacksonville, Florida, affording young Mamie to begin first grade at Darnell-Cookman Elementary. The family later moved to Palmetto, Florida after Rev. Dukes received the call to pastor St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church of Bradenton.
 

Mamie was a very smart as well as articulate student and graduated from Lincoln Memorial High School in the class of 1941.  She was quite honored to serve as the valedictorian.  At the age of 94, Mother Fobbs was able to recite the conclusion of her valedictorian speech “I Love America.”  Mamie was awarded a full scholarship to Albany State College however due to transportation, she was unable to attend. 

 

Mamie met and married the son of an AME preacher, Army Sergeant Earl Fobbs. They were blessed with Janet Fobbs and Allen Fobbs.  The family moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey.   Shortly after returning to Palmetto, Earl passed leaving Mamie to raise her children alone.  She began to work for a well known doctor as a housekeeper and cook. 

 

A few years later, Mamie was blessed with her baby daughter, Zelda Denise.   Janet was able to assist Mother for many years taking her to appointments, road trips and her monthly shopping at Publix, Sweet Bay, Walmart and Winn Dixie. After the passing of Janet, Sharon began to assist her for several years. Sharon was assisted by many of St. Johns church members.  Zelda was able to take care of Mother Fobbs during the final years of her life.  Nurse Mary Dunbar provided dignified and professional care daily.  Sis. Rebecca Suddoth made several visits which brought hours of smiles and reflections.

 
For 80 plus years, Mother Fobbs was an active member of the St. Johns First Baptist Institutional Church of Palmetto.   She served in numerous capacities such as the Herald, welcoming the visitors and friends and making announcements. She was a Sunday school teacher, served with the Ushers Ministry, Home Missions, Deaconess Ministry and one of the Mothers of the St. Johns Church. Mother Fobbs enjoyed attending local and state church meetings.  

Mother could often be heard praising the Lord early in the morning at home with her daily prayer.  She would pray for everybody. She often reflected on how she was able to take care of her Parents, Brothers and Daughter prior to their demise.
 

During the late 1970’s and early 80’s, Mamie took on a new job as a teacher’s assistant at Lincoln Memorial Middle School. She was responsible for supervising the students during lunch and grading papers. She also worked as a Voting Precinct clerk for many years. She often rendered her assistance monitoring mock elections in Evelyn Shannon’s 4th grade class.

 

And we must not fail to mention that Mother was an awesome cook who meticulously prepared scrumptious meals.  She had a patent on her “Sweet Potato Pie” and “Coconut Pound Cake.”

 

Mamie lived a well, rounded life full of Virtue and honor for 94 years. She so often stated that “I am going home to Palmetto, my church family will take care of me.” This would end with a melodic song of praise, “Hallelujah” the storm is passing over. Mother Mamie took her flight to be with her Lord and Savior during the early morning of Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

 

Mamie was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Dan and Alfronia Dukes, her husband Earl Fobbs, her sisters Rosa Evans and Lillian Dukes, her brothers Dan Jr. and John Dukes, her children Janet Harris and Allen Fobbs, her grandchildren Roger Gaskins, Lisha Gaskins and her great grand Krizia Gaskins.

 

Mother Fobbs leaves to treasure her earthly legacy her daughter Zelda Denise (Maurice) Jones, daughter-in-law Cora Fobbs, granddaughters Sharon Robinson and Kristal LaToya (Rev. Odell) Gordon,  grandsons Zachary (Gwen) Fobbs, Allen S. (Marchelle) Fobbs, Ernest and Christopher Fobbs.  A host of great grands including Kowana Turner, Tresha Robinson, Ora Fobbs, Anthony Fobbs, Kecia Fobbs, Marcus Fobbs, Lamar Fields, Terrell Sailes, Nia Gordon, Jayden Fobbs, Jordan Fobbs, Jackson Fobbs, Jenacie Fobbs, Jacobi Fobbs, Modesty Fobbs, Aires Fobbs, Calvin Fobbs, Silas Fobbs and Quinton Spears.

 
A host of great great grands, nephew Devone Dukes, nieces Mary Marshall and Delores Lumpkin, godchildren Clifford Shannon.  A host of many cousins and sorrowing friends