Nell A. Duke

Nell A. Duke, 95 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Sunday, January 22, 2006 at Retirement Ranch Care Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. Nell was born November 26, 1910 in Marietta, Oklahoma the daughter of Walter and Susie Ellen Welborn. She was reared in Marietta and attended and graduated from school at Healton, Oklahoma. While in highschool she participated and lettered in basketball. Following highschool Nell took a business course and went to work at Ware’s Department Store in Littlefield, TX for several years. She later worked for Southwestern Public Service also in Littlefield as a bookkeeper until 1944. Nell married Carl H. Duke on October 22, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas. They made their home in the Fort Sumner valley where they farmed for many years. Nell worked as the Office Manager for the ASC office in Fort Sumner for 13 years, she also worked at the De Baca County Courthouse in the County Clerk’s office and the District Clerk’s office until her retirement in 1979. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church since 1946; a member of Rebekahs, United Methodist Women and the Fort Sumner Women’s Club for many years. In 1980 she was inducted into the the De Baca County Hall of Fame as Women of the Year. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl in 1982; two sisters Louise McCoy and Irene Fulton; and a niece Pat Peterson. Carl and Nell never had any children of their own but happily shared all their love with nieces and nephews. Survivors include two great-nieces Jo Donna Terry of Muleshoe, TX; Jan Templar of Tulia, TX; and a great-nephew James Peterson of Long Beach, California. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2006 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Wesley Holland officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randel Mansell, Bill West, D. J. Snider, Tom Wilton, Ellis Jones, and Butch Carnell. Honorary bearers will be all her friends and relatives. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. The family requests memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 410; or the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com