Barbara Dukes Lyles Grant

Barbara Dukes Lyles Grant, age 95, died peacefully on September 5, 2023. She will be remembered for her strength, faith, and unwavering love for her family as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Bethel ARP Presbyterian Cemetery in Winnsboro, South Carolina at 11:30 a.m., at the corner of Fairfield and Vanderhorst Streets. Pope Funeral Home in Winnsboro and Stuhr’s Funeral Home in Charleston will be assisting the family, who will greet friends at the cemetery. 

Barbara was born October 23, 1927, daughter of the late Irene Hamilton and Charles Dukes. She graduated from Columbia High School, attended Brenau College, and graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she was Vice President of the Student Body, President of the Senior Class, and a member of Delta Delta Delta. She was Director of the Greenwood County Department of Social Services for many years and a Greenwood’s First AR Presbyterian Church member. 

Barbara is survived by her children: Helen Lyles Geer of Charleston, SC, and Barbara Lyles Anderson (Bristow) of Atlanta, GA; as well as her stepchildren: Don D. Grant, Jr. (Beth) and Dorothy Grant Williamson of Bishopville, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Benjamin Owen Geer III (Alexis), Thomas Lyles Geer (Katie), and Elliott Bristow Anderson; and great-grandchildren: Mary Lyles Geer, Catherine Elliott Geer, and Charles Lowry Geer. 

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Thomas McDonald Lyles and husband, Don Dubose Grant; brother, Charles Dukes; and sister Frances Dukes Zobel. 

After marrying Don Grant, she moved to Bishopville, South Carolina, and became a member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church. 

A true leader to her community, Barbara served on several Boards of Directors, including Greenwood County Mental Health Center, the Salvation Army, and the Coalition of Critical Human Needs. She served on the state’s Primary Healthcare Task Force and Governor Riley’s Task Force for Critical Human Needs. She was President of the Ivy Garden Club in Greenwood and President of Greenwood’s Palladian Study Club. She was a Women’s Leadership Forum charter member sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation Grant to Columbia College of SC. She was President of the Women of the Church at First AR Presbyterian Church and was awarded the Life Membership.

Barbara will be missed deeply by all who knew her. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.