Graveside service for Laura Ellen Duke, age 92 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Friday morning at 11 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Mrs Duke passed away Wednesday night in Lincoln Care Center.
She was a native of Dover, TN and the daughter of the late William Burley and Mattie Jane Greenhill Fitzgerald. Mrs. Duke was retired from the Lincoln County Health Department where she worked for 35 years and was a member of the West End Baptist Church. Miss Laura was active in her church, a lifelong student of the Bible and went on many mission trips. Age was never a barrier to her learning new things. She studied Spanish, painting, even car repairs and learned to dance at 80, a lifelong dream of hers. Travel was a also a great love of hers and she visited several foreign countries and many U.S. Cities.
Miss Laura’s life was one of a dedicated servant and full of love and compassion for others. These qualities touched the lives of people not only in Lincoln County but everywhere she went. She leaves with her family wonderful memories of her delightful sense of humor, her unconditional love, and her deep and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her daughter Dolores (Randy) Rowell of Ashville, AL and granddaughter Amy Rowell of Huntersville, NC.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Duke was preceded in death by her husband Dennis Monroe Duke, brother W. B. Fitzgerald and sister Dorothy Fout.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening 5-8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home. In keeping with Miss Laura’s wishes, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society of Lincoln County, Fayetteville Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Best Friends Animal Society or the West End Baptist Church.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Lincoln Care Center, Dr. David McCauley and special friends Amy Burton and Amanda McAnally for the care given to Mrs. Duke.
