Mary Alice Duke

Mary Alice Duke of El Dorado, AR passed away and went to be with Jesus her Lord on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. She was 92 years old. Mary Alice was born September 23, 1924 to JT and Lily Rea of Summerfield, LA. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John D. Duke of El Dorado, AR, her parents, JT and Lily Rea, 3 sisters and 4 brothers. She is survived by her son John D. Duke, Jr and wife Rosemary of Angleton, TX; her son Ben Duke of Lowell, AR; her daughter Kerry Duke Gilchrist and husband Mike Gilchrist of Cedar Hill, TX and her sister Eleanor Spohn of Bossier City, LA. Mary Alice has 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Mary Alice was affectionately known by her brothers and sisters growing up as “Mit”. So she became “Mamaw Mit” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She dearly loved her family and took great joy in being with them all whenever she could. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in El Dorado, AR where she taught the 2nd Grade Children’s Sunday School Class and also did the church flowers for many years. Besides arranging flowers, her other hobby was china painting and won several awards for her work at the Union County Fair. Mary Alice worked at and owned Jack and Jill Day School in El Dorado for over 20 years where she prepared many children to be ready for the 1st grade. This was one of the great joys of her life and she was gifted at working with children. She is greatly loved and tremendously missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2016 at Young’s.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016, in Young’s Chapel. Burial will be in Weldon Cemetery in Weldon, LA under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com