Graveside services for Fern (Cawvey) Duke, 94, West Plains, MO, will be held at 2:00, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home. There will also be a short visitation time from 12 o’clock until 1:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.
Mrs. Duke passed away on February 21, 2026 in Rochester, MI. She was born on May 20, 1931 in Moko, Arkansas to Cecil King Cawvey and Lona Mae (Holloway) Cawvey. Mrs. Duke was married to Tollaray Duke on July 9, 1949 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Mrs. Duke and her husband moved to Michigan in the early 1950’s where they raised two children. Mrs. Duke retired in 1984 from the Pontiac State Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, where she worked for over thirty years. After retiring, Mr. and Mrs. Duke moved back home to West Plains, MO. Mrs. Duke was a long time member of the Moko Church of Christ.
Mrs. Duke is survived by her two children, Ronald Duke, (wife Marjorie Duke) and Rhonda Duke, her three grandchildren, Dustin Duke, Destiny Hahn (husband Aaron Hahn), and Danielle Duke, and her three great grandchildren, Braeden Duke, Jackson Hahn, and Colette Hahn.
Mrs. Duke is preceded in death by her parents, husband, her sisters Rosella and Christina, and her brothers Hedley, Gerald and Marshall.
February 24, 2026 @ 7:37 pm
She was a lady by all accord. Very funny loved her children. I am thankful that my husband met her and we both loved Rhonda her daughter and I can also say her daughter is carrying on her legacy. I only met Rhonda‘s brother once.
February 25, 2026 @ 8:19 pm
I called her Mrs. Duke, such a kind woman, I had the privilege to be in her good gracious company some 25 years plus, as I’ve been a close friend of her daughter, Rhonda Duke, AKA Frank. Mrs. Duke had a sense of old-world charm, a love of manors, and an adorable personality. Anybody who could tolerate my jokes has the virtue of patience. I liked talking politics with Mr. Duke, as Mrs. Duke would be sitting quietly, crocheting. Mrs. Duke shared stories with me about her upbringing on the family farm and how she helped out on the farm by working in the fields. Truly one of the kindest people I’ve met in this journey called life. Mrs. and Mr. Duke raised a nice family, and I’ve been privileged to be in the family’s company on several occasions. Finally, I want to say how grateful I am that God put Rhonda and me on the same path; we’ve remained friends for 36 years. It’s mind-boggling to me that she put up with me all these many years with all my bad jokes and rearranging things in her house. Rhonda Gean AKA Frank, you’re a wonderful daughter, and I’m proud to be your friend. Respectfully, Neal Alpert
February 27, 2026 @ 6:07 pm
Ma Duke hay affectionately called her, Ma . Always a fun person to talk to you. And a great listener. I am a talker and ma Duke always was polite and listened. Ma Duke was a great mom, grandmother. Great grandmother. Yes I got to know who close to 40 years. I could understood family . Ma Duke Treated everybody the same. As we can all see by her daughter, Rhonda and son. How close them we really want. Ma may you memory be eternal and and what you talk your children grand children. great grand children go on for generations to come, knowing that you were a teacher and a loving parent grand parents and great grand. Parent