Mr. Earley Duke,

Athen Earley Duke, Sr., 94, passed away, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at West Point Community Living Center, in West Point. Athen Earley Duke, Sr. was born July 14, 1917 in Monroe County Mississippi to the late Pearl Brooks and Homer Duke. He was a Foreman for Bryan Farms for 41 years. Mr. Duke was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Athen Earley Duke, Sr. married Willie Mae Richards Duke on June 11, 1938, in West Point, she preceded him in death May 3, 2000. Funeral services will be Friday, December 9, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with the Bro. R. C. Bryan officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his two daughters, Hazel Camp (Winston), Betty Hession all of West Point; eight grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 14 great-great grandchildren; his sister, Ann Sanders (Earl) of Prairie; and brother, James Ellis Duke (Sally) of Dixon Springs, TN. Special friend, Louise Breitkreutz of West Point. Those preceding him in death were his son, Athen E. "Buddy" Duke, Jr. and two grandchildren, James Hamby and Debbie Camp. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Bryan, Bucky Kellogg, Bud Tumlinson, George Watson, Larry Adams, David Marnell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Junior Wiley, Dr. Bobby Dill, Dr. Joe Yates, Kenny Dill, James Cook, Clifton Trull, Dr. John Cox, Brett Miller, Dr. Ben Bennett, Dr. Min Kim, Frank Awtrey, Kenny Ellison, Ben Bennett, Willie C. Swift, Willie E. White, Joe Bell, Willie Johnson, all his friends at PLI, his friends on Douglas Lake Road, and friends in West Point. Memorials may be made to, Sally Kate Winters Home for Children, P. O. Box 1233 or to West Point, MS 39773. Visitation will be Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Calvert Funeral Home.