Rita Dukes Baroco lived a life of courage, dignity and integrity. It was also a life of love and service, wrapped in devotion to her Lord. She did it all with optimism, enthusiasm, and fun. Rita passed away after an extended period of failing health on June 8, 2015 in Pensacola, FL. She is survived by her loving children; James Edward Trice Dukes (Laura, Pensacola Beach, FL), Darby Dukes Cox (Mike, Columbus, IN) and Sarah Elizabeth Charbonneau (Pensacola, FL); grandchildren are Jessica Cox Branch (Tony, Cookeville, TN), Brent Cox (fianceé, Emily Benz, Birmingham, AL), Christopher Dukes (Mobile, AL), Zachary Dukes (Pensacola, FL) and Taylor, Kiley, and Ethan Charbonneau (Amherst, NH); great-grandson, Colton Branch (Cookeville, TN). Rita was born on May 12, 1930 in Charleston, WV. She was the youngest of six children born to Ira Lester and Mabel Virginia Shepard. Brothers, Al and Gordon Shepard and sister, Jean Rohrig have preceded her in death. Sisters, Jan Stull and Ginny Roth live in North Carolina. Happily gregarious, Rita was a cheerleader both in high school and at Marshall University. If "cheerleader" is a synonym for "encourager", Rita remained a cheerleader all of her life. After transferring to Duke University, she met and married Dr. Herbert Trice Dukes. They settled in Pensacola in 1963, where he began his practice of Neurosurgery at the Medical Center Clinic. After his death in 1981, Rita, who held a BS in Medical Technology from Duke, began a career in real estate. She worked with Edythe Owens Realty and later at Connell and Manziek Realty. As an active member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola for more than fifty years, her contributions to ministry were numerous and innovative. Among them were vital roles in the Challenger Award Banquet, which has touched over 50,000 students since its inception, and the concept and implementing of an annual luncheon for ladies who are over eighty years old to honor them for their many years of Christian service. Thousands have attended over the last 37 years. Both of these ministries continue. She also served on the long- range planning committee which directed the improvements and expansion of the current FBC campus. In almost every area of the work of the church, Rita's influence can be traced. Rita was well known in the life and activities of Pensacola. In 1986, she married James H. Baroco, Sr. and her family and friends delighted in the happiness the union brought until his death in 1996. Rita Dukes Baroco was a link between old-school and imaginative new ideas. She represented the best of both. Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral services to be held at First Baptist Church of Pensacola on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 2pm to be followed by a graveside service at Bayview Memorial Park on Scenic Highway. Pallbearers are Brent Cox, Christopher Dukes, Zachary Dukes, Randy Parker, Jim Prim and Bill Miller. The family is grateful for the care given by Dr. Amos Prevatt, the dedicated staff at The Haven of Our Lady of Peace and Dr. Herb Gannon with Covenant Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church Samaritan Hands Ministry or their Rebuilding-Expansion Fund.