Vera Loweva Dukes was born to Robert and Zelpha Ann Leach on January 14 1924 in Sterling Oklahoma and passed from this life on December 9 2008 in Abilene Texas. She was married to Melvin Cash June 14 1946 in Clovis New Mexico. He preceded her in death on January 19 1988. She married Jim Dukes on May 25 1991 and moved to Abilene where she lived until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents two brothers three sisters and one great-grandchild. She is survived by her husband Jim Dukes and eight children: Larry Cash and his wife Phyllis Wayne Cash and his wife Sue Tommy Cash and his wife Sherry Ronnie Cash and his wife Mary Beth Jimmy Dukes and his wife Cathy Clyde Dukes Beth Malone and her husband Buddy and Betty Trapp and her husband Andrew. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren 13 great-grandchildren and many friends. Vera was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and attended the Northwest Church of Christ for the last 17 years. She was an active volunteer at the Christian Service Center where she was serving on the day of her death. She received many awards for her volunteer service including Volunteer of the Year for the Abilene area and the Dorcas award. She averaged over 1 000 hours per year in volunteer service for at least the last ten years. At the Service Center she was instrumental in maintaining the food pantry and mended thousands of donated items to be used for the needy in Abilene. She also had the responsibility of receiving accounting for and dispensing funds for mission work in Uganda through the Northwest Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com