In 1971, Lydia Duke, of Eupora, Mississippi, married into the car business. Her husband, Eley Duke Jr., and father-in-law, Ray E Duke, operated the 15-employee dealership while she taught 5th grade in the Suffolk Public Schools. In 1989 Eley Jr. lost his battle with brain cancer and a school teacher from rural Mississippi made her entrance into the automotive industry. In 2003, Lydia was named President and Dealer Operator of Duke Automotive. By this time, the business had grown to 45 employees. Lydia Duke is the only female franchised dealer in Hampton Roads and she has made customer service and community service a priority. She has served on numerous boards and charitable committees; past board chair of Paul D Camp Community College, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Obici Hospital Ethics board, Southern Bank Hampton Roads Regional Board, Trustee at Main Street United Methodist church and countless others. Lydia was honored as Suffolk’s 1st Citizen in 2016. She has a great love for her family and especially her grandchildren, being with friends, traveling, and finding time to relax.
