Robert Phillips Dukes Sr., 78, of North Charleston, a retired Lowcountry pastor, died June 18, 2010.
Born April 22, 1932, in Charleston, he earned his master’s degree in theology at Southeastern Seminary and began his ministerial career in North Carolina, serving three churches there. He returned to South Carolina and pastored St. Stephens Baptist Church and later Hardeeville Baptist Church. Before retiring he served the Laurel Bay Baptist Church in Beaufort and enjoyed the time he spent with the Marines from Parris Island.
He enjoyed music, and it was always an important part of his life. While a student at the College of Charleston, he was singing at First Baptist Church when he told his friend he was going to marry the girl in the pink dress who was standing in the balcony, Shirley Ann Peeler. They married in 1959.
He was a member of Old Fort Baptist Church near Summerville.
Survivors include his wife, two sons and three grandchildren.