Few people get to live almost 97 years on the farm they were born on. Cecil Allen Duke was born on the Duke family farm on November 28, 1926 in the Chesterville Community. He met his Creator from Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, after a short period of declining health. Mr. Duke was 96 years, 11 months and 14 days old. The Duke family homesteaded land in the 1830s in what was then Pontotoc County. Born to pioneer Lee Countians, Claude Elford Duke and Lucille Means Duke, Cecil lived all of his life on the family farm except for 10 years he lived in Memphis working for Wonder Snacks. He married Miss Juanita McKinney on June 11, 1949, a marriage of 59 years until her death on April 10, 2009. Cecil was a dairy farmer and a proud steward of the land of her ancestors. Just after finishing East Tupelo High School, Cecil joined the U. S. Army Air Corps near the end of World War II and was stationed in Trinidad. A patriotic and proud American, Cecil later worked in the Lee County Senior Citizens Program through Mississippi State Extension Service for several years and enjoyed being a client in his later years. A quiet but stoic man, Cecil was a founding member and longtime active participant in the ministries of Chesterville Calvary Baptist Church where he faithfully attended. Always pleasant with a great smile and kind heart, Cecil was devoted to working as long as he could, but did enjoy hunting and fishing earlier in life.
A service celebrating his life will be held at Noon Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Chesterville Calvary Baptist Church with his longtime pastor, Bro. Wesley Stephens, officiating, with remarks by Bro. Mike. The Allen Simmons family will provide music. A private burial will follow at Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 PM – 6 PM Friday at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo and from 11 AM-service time on Sat. at Chesterville Calvary Baptist Church.
Cecil is survived by his three children, Richard Allen Duke of Tupelo, Cynthia Duke of Tupelo, and Lisa Gale Hall (David) of Philadelphia, MS; his grandchildren, Nicholas Duke, Andrew Duke, Kelly Barefield (Jordan), Angela Duke, Scarlett (Wesley), and their families; his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Charles Duke (Patsy), Dorothy Stepp (Ottis), Betty Breland (Billy), and Edith Fikes.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita; and his brother, Claude Duke.
Pallbearers will be Christopher Paul, Nicholas Duke, Andrew Duke, and Jordan Barefield. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School class.
The family suggest memorials be made to Chesterville Calvary Baptist Church, 376 Road 41, Tupelo, MS 38801.
