A Loving Tribute to Ma Dukes

Hello everyone,

My name is Marquan (Don) Matthews and if you know me or have ever been around me, my younger siblings, and other family, you would know my beloved mother Jean Renee Byrd (aka MA DUKES) as many knew and called her. My mother shared a lot of infectious love through many years, touching the souls of the lost and being a saint to many who needed it.

Deeply torn and saddened, my mother has passed away on May 23, 2025, due to cardiac arrest. That wasn’t just any ordinary day. That was my youngest sisters Meilean Byrd high school Graduation. 3 days prior, our youngest brother Marsuan graduated the 8th grade and she had the honor of seeing him take his stroll to success from middle school to now high school freshman. We never thought that on this day, a day filled of joy, would be the worst day of our lives. As my sister was graduating high school, our mother is lying on the ground fighting for her life. As my sister is walking across the stage, I’m doing CPR on my mother. She died an hour later on my sisters graduation. Just 200 ft from making it inside the graduation.

Me and my family are kindly asking you for your help to give our mother the funeral she always talked about. My mother had a constant battle with heart issues, dealing with 2 previous heart attacks, which made her a fighter. She was so resilient and such a warrior, fighting for all her kids no matter how much pain and suffering she was in. No matter what our mother went through, she always stayed positive and figured out a way. No matter how bad my mom was hurting, she still made people smile and feel at home in their hearts with every person who crossed paths with her.

My mother always told us, when this day comes that she wants to be buried back in PA with her father and other family. And as a family and with the help of one’s who loved her we’re going to push to make sure she gets her last wishes.

Many lives were positively impacted by the love and resilience of our mother, and we’re extending an invitation to you to help give my mom the celebration she always wanted and deserves. Mommy we love you, I’m lost without you, and I pray you give me the guidance you did once on this earth to make you proud. Rest In Paradise my beautiful lady

~don, meioni, meilean, Marsuan,

Thank you and God Bless,