Barbara Jean July

Barbara “Mickey” Jean Shoemo Dukes July Barbara was born in Cottage Hill, Florida on November 11, 1944 to Andrew and Lillie Ree Shoemo, both preceded her in death. She graduated from John Pickens Adult School in 1966. She was always known as the family “songbird” with her anointed voice. This songstress’s mother would take her throughout the community and city for every opportunity she could. She song at Sue Straughn’s Sunday Gospel Show multiple times in the mid-’70s. She married Roosevelt Dukes, Sr. in 1961, and to that union, five children were born. Unfortunately, her third born passed away as an infant. A few years later tragedy hit again and her husband was killed in a car accident. After the death of her husband, being only 22 and with 4 children to provide for, her older sister, Bertha came and got her to live with her to attend school. She entrusted her children to be cared and supported for by her family. While attending school, an opportunity arose for her to audition at Hillsville USA. Unfortunately, since she only wanted to sing gospel, they did not sign her. She then completed her schooling by earning her certification as a Laboratory Technician. After graduating, she moved back home to reconnect with her children. After four months of being home, she was hired in her field at Physician Laboratory. She was proud to be working as a medical professional. Her doctors and co-workers loved and trusted her skills. After 24 years of working at the lab, she moved to several other labs in the Pensacola area. She retired from that field and entered into the Escambia School Transportation System until her retirement in 2019. She served in her community as long as she could. She received her calling to the ministry under the leadership of Elder Charles Thomas of St. James Missionary Baptist Church. After that season was completed, she moved her membership to Deliverance Tabernacle under the leadership of Bishop Charles Young. She served in the ministry faithfully in several areas until her illness in March 2020. Her heart was as a missionary working in the outreach ministry in Africa. She had the ultimate experience in going with a medical team for a few years and then she wanted to ‘spread the word of God’ to the community that has not had the opportunity to hear it in the bush. She birthed her ministry “Roots and Wings” with the help of the local churches support and donations. With the overwhelming response, she was rewarded the opportunity to build her team and go preach the ‘Word of God’ forming relationships, that was forever lasting. Also, she trained and mentored several people to go to Africa and some moved to help it go further. She wanted to go back to Africa next year and she will. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Shoemo, Sr. and Lillie Ree Johnson Shoemo Bryant, her sons, Anthony Micheal and Roosevelt, Jr., siblings, Andrew Jr., Abe, Bertha, Nathaniel (Abdul), William, and David Bryant, sisters-in-law, Shirley, Erma Bryant, and Mary Ann, brothers-in-law, Jack Dukes, Jr., William Dukes, and Bill Tolliver. She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughters, Stephanie (Johnny) Beach, and Kimberely Dukes; twelve grandchildren, Jamale (LeAnn) Dukes, Marcus McCreary, Donald Thomas, Jr., De’ja Watkins, Kaneisha Dukes, Tyrome Watkins, Desirai Dukes, Destiny (Juwan) Whaley, Asia Dukes, Aspen (MJ) Dukes, Christian Dukes, and Sarina Stephens; eight great-grandchildren, MaKayla McCreary, Alaya Watkins, Semahj Whaley, Keleigh Kimbrough, De’Asia Bickham, Zayden Whaley, Amari King Watkins, Jruex Whaley; siblings, Bernie (Eleanor) Shoemo, Lula Farrow, Kenneth (Betty) Shoemo, Maxcine (David) Davis, Elder Myles Bryant, Carl Bryant, and Joyce Tumblin; brothers-in-law, Dan (Tommy) Dukes, King (Deborah) Dukes, James Dukes; sisters-in-law, Juanita Shoemo, Mandy Smith, Erma Deloach, Linda Pugh, Lora Darby, Collen Langley, Frances McDaniel, Farrow Dukes, Sarah Dukes, and Maxcine Shoemo; daughter-in-law, Teresa Dukes; a bonus daughter, Lisa Salter, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins she loved dearly. With so much love in her heart, she never met a stranger, she has friends all over the world. Mama was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020. She never claimed it even until her last day on earth. She didn’t complain about being sick. She was strong and had crazy FAITH until the end. Her final words to us were “I Love Y'all and Hold It Down.” As we lay her to rest, our voices raise high in responding: “Mama, We Got It For You, thank you for the honor of your love and we are truly sad you left us when it got good!”

Tributes

Barbara Jean July

November 16, 1944 - February 5, 2021