Martha Mangum Duke

Martha Mangum Duke, 95 of Bahama, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side on Thursday, May 30_, 2024 at Durham Regional Hospital.

Martha "Mama Duke" was born on May 10, 1929, in Bahama, NC, the daughter of the late Sallie Cash Mangum and Van Buren Mangum.

Mrs. Duke graduated from Mangum School in 1947 and was a member of the basketball team. She attended Ellis Chapel United Methodist Church and in her earlier years, she enjoyed helping with preparing Brunswick stews, cleaning, and general upkeep of the church grounds.  

Martha was a tobacco farmer and a homemaker, but most of all a Mother to all who knew her.  She participated in caring for the elderly, her aging parents, siblings and numerous children in the Bahama community; all who remained extremely fond of her.  Martha was always willing to help the less fortunate including animals, the elderly, children and her favorite “The Underdog”.  She was a rare breed, a strong independent woman who was raised in a time that most of us cannot relate to. 

Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Paul G. Duke; brother, John Alex Mangum; sisters, Annie Mae Mangum, Betsy Mangum Hunt, Sally Ann Mangum Wilson, Doris Mangum Pickard, Jean Mangum Weidman; a beloved cousin, B. F. Paschall; nephews, Sam Hunt, Bobby Hunt, Joe Walker, Tom Jeffries, and David Weidman.

Mrs. Duke is survived by her daughter; Paula Duke Kennedy; sons, Graham Duke (Bonnie), Van Duke (Sandy); granddaughters, Lori Rexrode Rhew (Phillip), Holly Duke Stacy (Mark Sr.); beloved grandson Jared Duke; great grandchildren, Mark Stacy Jr., Brooke Hall, Jake Hall; sisters, Lula Floyd Mangum, Vann Mangum Rhew, and multiple generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special lifelong friends, Susie Ellis and Helen Roberts Ellis.

In Memory of Mama Duke, the family asks that you come dressed casually for the Funeral Service that will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Ellis Chapel United Methodist Church, 2616 Levi Ln., Bahama, NC 27503.  Burial will follow at Duke Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. The Rev. Billy Yeargin will officiate. Serving as Pallbearers will be Jake Hall, Phillip Rhew, Mark Stacy, Jr., Floyd Walker, Mark Pickard and Mark Stacy, Sr.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Van Duke and Graham Duke.