Dorethia Pearl “Duke” James (née Griffin), age 88, died peacefully at home Dec. 1, 2017, in Vicksburg.

“Duke” was born on April 16, 1929, in Vicksburg to the late Amos Sr. and Willie Mae Griffin.

She dedicated her life to the Lord at a young age and ultimately called Mount

Carmel Baptist Church her home until her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Amos Sr. and Willie Mae Griffin; a sister,

Helen Stewart; and five brothers, Phillip “Sonny” Griffin Sr., Amos “Doom” Griffin Jr., Fred Griffin, Charlie Griffin and Earl Griffin.

Dorethia is survived by her daughters, Patricia Ann (Wellington) Davis of Morganville, N.J., and Dorothy (Dennis) Holmes of Vicksburg; her son, Clarence (Sue) James Jr. of Willits, Calif; and her goddaughter, Velma (Troy) Lindsey, also of Vicksburg; grandchildren, Dr. Wellington Davis III, Deirdre (Scott) Myers, Tracy Holmes, Clarence James III, and Corey James; four great-grandchildren; the Griffin, James and Williams families, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Services will be noon Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. James T. Edwards Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service.