Uncrowned Community Builders

Donniezell, aka Donnie Duke was the third child of Charles and Ola Bateman. Donnie moved to Buffalo with her family in the late 1920's. She attended the Buffalo Public Schools and graduated from Hutchinson Central High School with many honors and the coveted Jeanie Gunson Award. She was offered six scholarships to attend college and picked a work-study scholarship to the University at Buffalo, where she later earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in Psychology. She attended graduate school in Social Work and upon graduation was immediately hired by the Erie County Department of Social Services where she worked for over thirty-five years as a supervisor. Following her retirement, Ms. Duke took a position with the Educational Opportunity Center at the University at Buffalo where she was a popular instructor who taught many seminars on African American History.

As an avocation, she became an avid bridge player and teacher. She was a Life Master in the American Bridge Association in which she won many tournaments and trophies. Ms. Duke was one of the founding members of the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Prior to her death on March 26, 2002, Donnie Duke volunteered in the Office of Black Ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo, where she made tapes on ministries and Christian heraldry explaining the Church Symbols.

Her commitment and dedication to Christian service was unwaivering, as was her faith. People found her to be a great teacher and counselor with words of wisdom.

A woman of great phenomenal strength, courage and deep religious conviction, she left two children to mourn and cherish precious memories. Kim Marie Duke and Theodore Duke, III both reside in Buffalo, New York. She also had two sisters, Barbara Johnson and Eva Noles and one brother Charles Bateman.

She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.