Joyce Louise Dukes Shaw
Joyce Louise Dukes Shaw, age 66, beloved wife, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend left this earth on December 6, 2020. She was educated at White Station High School, attended Memphis State University prior to moving to New York City, where she resided for 30 years.
During this stay, Joyce exposed visiting family and friends to Harlem and its magic. While living in New York she completed a master’s degree in Creative Writing from City College of New York and served as Associate Professor of creative writing at several area colleges and university. She also became a member of the Harlem Writer’s Guild and a founding member of the New Renaissance Writer’s Guild. Writing was Joyce’s passion and sent her to Negril Jamaica for several years where she completed two novels during her stay.
In 2006 Joyce and her husband relocated to her hometown, Memphis, TN and settled in historic Orange Mound. They took up residence in a home previously owned by her paternal great uncle, John Selmon at the corner of Barron Avenue and Marianna Street.
She was an ardent supporter of the community. Dukes Shaw was the founder and director of the Orange Mound Drama Ensemble (at the Orange Mound Community Service Center), and was a significant contributor to her home church, the historic New Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church in White Station.
Joyce Louise lived a beautiful life and was cherished by those she leaves behind; husband of 33 years, John; son and daughter in law, Chad and Tisha Shaw of Ridgefield Park, NJ; siblings -Carolyn D. Tisdale, J. Terry Dukes, Rosetta Dukes, Doris D. Mccann, Michael H. Dukes and Marilynn Dukes Williams; two brothers-in-law Robert and Jimmie Ray and sister-friend Saundra Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Louise Dukes, Jr, and two siblings Shirley Ann Macklin and Jerry Dukes. She was the special aunt for all her nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loving godmother of Stephanie Touré. We will cherish her memory.
Considering COVID-19 restrictions, the family will host a memorial celebration Spring 2021.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Orange Mound Arts Council, 2471 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38114, ATTN Don Gilbert.