Susan Elizabeth (“DD”) Duke passed away peacefully, working on cross-stitching at her home, in Fernandina Beach, Florida on June 15, 2022. DD was born in England, and then, as a young girl, with her parents Frank and Mary (“Mickey”) Coop, moved to Canada and then Georgia. She was an accomplished student and a member of the bowling team at Osborne High School, Marietta, Georgia, graduating in 1970. She later graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta with a major in accounting, shortly thereafter achieving the CPA designation through exams and work requirements.
DD then embarked on a career in finance, having successively more responsibility at corporations throughout the southeast and Midwest, from BellSouth (Atlanta), Progress Energy (North Carolina), Leggett & Platt (Missouri), American Water (Iowa) and KMT Waterjet (Missouri).
DD chose retirement life in Charleston, South Carolina, having visited there every year for decades with her close tennis friends to watch the Family Circle Cup, now the Credit One Charleston Open. In addition to her tennis tournaments, relearning golf, and church life she was active with foster care for greyhound dogs.
In 2021 she moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida to enjoy the north Florida lifestyle with close friends. DD immediately became engaged in Newcomers. Oftentimes, she would be introduced as the new member who “did everything”. She was Chair of the Audit Committee, and played tennis, pickleball, bunko, etc. She loved the arts and crafts activities, and anything that she thought “sounded fun”.
Throughout her life, DD remained active in church life and bible studies All of her friends recognized her as an accomplished quilter, cook, gardener and author. She frequently gave her quilts to friends and her baked good to churches to assist others in need. In Fernandina she became engaged in the craft of stained glass, again providing her artwork to her many friends. DD was an active SEC and ACC college football and basketball fan; not surprisingly, her favorite college basketball team is Duke.
She is survived by her son Chris Bussie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
There will be a celebration of Susan Elizabeth Duke’s life through the Episcopal service at the Oxley Heard Funeral Home, 1305 Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034, at 3:00 pm on Monday June 27, 2022. The Reverend John Tidy, priest associate of St Peters, Fernandina will officiate. Chris will receive family and friends at 2:00 pm; a reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers please consider Greyhound Pets of America – Charleston, P.O. Box 14533, Charleston, South Carolina 29422 or Berkely Animal Center, 131 Central Berkely Drive, Moncks Corner, South Carolina 29461 or St Peter’s Episcopal Church – Women’s Mission Team, 801 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034.