Shelia Dukes
/Shelia Dukes
Four States Living Tribute To Women
photo by KENDAL DOCKERY PHOTOGRAPHY
With a passion for helping others, it is no wonder that Shelia Dukes became a registered nurse. After watching her sister work diligently in the medical field, it impressed Shelia so much that she knew she wanted to be able to care for others and have a huge impact on their healing process. She has worked for CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System for the past 36 years and takes pride in doing her job and more importantly, doing it well.
On November 20, 2021, Arthur and Shelia attended a rodeo at Hirsch Coliseum.
Shelia Dukes was very impressed by her teachers as a child, especially one who was an African-American. She realized that teachers were well-respected and staples of the African-American community. She recalls that the teachers dressed with dignity and pride, spoke with confidence and poise, and were significant role models. She toyed with the idea of being a teacher, but ultimately decided on being a nurse and helping others in that capacity.
“I am certified in my area of nursing and try to do a respectable job each day. I don’t want to just hold a position; I want to help my patients by making a difference in their lives,” Shelia admits, adding that every patient is an individual and should be treated with an individualized touch. “Many times, we get senior citizens who live alone and just welcome the conversation and special treatment that we can provide. Not only are they dealing with a medical issue, but they are also dealing with loneliness.”
A graduate of Hope High School and Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Shelia has been married to her husband, Arthur, for 33 years, and they have two sons, Patrick (32) and Adrian (28). Whether a weekend trip or vacation far away, the couple enjoys getting away and just enjoying each other’s company.
Recovering from Stage 4 metastatic thyroid cancer was the biggest obstacle that Shelia has ever overcome. “Many people are not aware of just how sick I was,” she remarks. “I am a spiritual person, and I know that without God, I would not be able to tell you that I am a 13-year cancer survivor. My husband was so supportive and was beside me the entire time. Even though we took numerous trips to MD Anderson for treatments and office visits, he never complained. I now have so much respect for caregivers.”
Shelia’s spiritual life is especially important to her, and she is very thankful for the close relationship she and Arthur have with their sons. “They are both accomplished young men that we strived to raise the best we possibly could. They both are successful, hardworking gentlemen, and we are so proud of them,” she acknowledges. “I also love community service. I am active in service organizations here in Texarkana, and I simply enjoy giving back to the community. It is our responsibility to help others. God has blessed us, and He wants us to help those in need.” A member of Walker Chapel C.M.E. Church, Shelia holds positions on the local, district and regional level. She also serves on several committees in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Top Ladies of Distinction, the Las Amigas Social Club, and the NAACP.
Shelia feels fortunate to live in Texarkana, a city that has some of the same amenities as a larger city but is “small enough to still offer that small town friendliness.” As a mentor to young women, Shelia encourages them to surround themselves with positive thinking, successful, caring women. She explains, “Successful does not always mean formally-educated. I think being successful means managing life experiences, overcoming difficulties, and learning from those experiences.”
Although Shelia’s family grew up with meager means, her mother always made sure that her family had what they needed. She never felt underprivileged and grew up in a two-parent home. “My father was a wonderful person; however, my mother was the backbone of the family,” she recalls. “The love she gave us outshined any disadvantages I might have had. Although I was a little girl growing up in the projects, I had a loving family, friends, and just lived a great life. My mother was a very generous person, and although we did not have much, she would always share with others. When people teasingly call me by her name (Thelma), I take it as a wonderful compliment. She had a beautiful spirit.”
As a woman trying to persevere in today’s world, Shelia advises, “Many women work and are parenting young children while maintaining a healthy marriage. We need to remember to put ourselves first sometimes. Unfortunately, we cannot do it often, but for us to sustain and be able to do what is traditionally expected of us, we need to refuel every know and then.”
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10
The way Bobbie McKinney sees her
I have known Shelia as a friend and sorority sister for over 20 years. Shelia and I worked together on the finance committee of our sorority for several years. I experienced her kindness, cooperativeness, patience, dedication, and commitment to the assigned tasks. We bonded as sisters and shared a special love and respect for each other. Often, when my husband was hospitalized or when I lost a loved one, Shelia was always there ready to do what she could to aid me in my time of distress with kind, comforting words and deeds.
Shelia’s humility and servanthood is admirable. Although she has a full-time job, husband and family, she constantly gives of herself by serving the community. She provides rides and other needs to the elderly and the sick and shut-in, serves food at the Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, gives coats, shoes, and eyeglasses to the needy, serves as a member of the Harvest Regional Food Bank family, is active in her church, and is also a member of several civic organizations including Top Teens of America. Just recently, she demonstrated much courage and patience by chaperoning girls ages 13-18 in Dallas, Texas, for few days.