Dorothy Kopp Duvall

Dorothy Kopp Duvall, 87, passed away on Monday, Nov. 17 in Conway, Ark. She was born in La Crosse, Wis. on July 26, 1927. The oldest of five children of Isabelle Emma Gray and Byron Palmer Kopp of Centerville, Wis. Dorothy graduated from Galesville High School in 1945. In 1949, she married Howard Robert Bell, father of her two children, Noel Howard Bell and Rebecca Bell Ellis. In 1982, she married William Gerald Duvall (deceased 2010) and they lived in Memphis, Tenn. then Mayflower, Ark. following retirement from the Memphis city schools. In 2013, Dorothy moved to College Square, Conway, Ark. Dorothy graduated from University of Wisconsin, Stout (1949) with a Bachelor of Science and from Memphis State University (1982) with a Masters of Education. Dorothy had a successful career as a teacher of home economics (New Salem, Wis.; Trempealeau, Wis.; Crystal Lake, Ill.,) kindergarten (Rutland, Ill.), and high school special education (Roanoke, Ill.; Memphis, Tenn.) She was also a business woman, owner and manager of The Country Florist in Minonk, Ill. from 1972 to 1977. Her hobbies enriched her life with friendships and experiences including gardening, flower arranging, sewing, playing bridge, bible study, attending musical and theatrical events, and volunteering. She was a recognized leader in many organizations throughout her life, including: 4-H, Future Homemakers of America, American Association of University Women, and Conway Newcomers. She is survived by her sister and brother in-law, Kathy and Wayne Auer of Crescent City, Fla.; her brother and sister-in-law, Richard "Dick" and Louise Kopp of Centerville, Wis.; her daughter and son in law, Rebecca and Gary Ellis of Parker, Colo.; her son, Noel Bell, PhD of Austin, Texas; and her grandchildren, Aurora Bell of New York City and August Bell, of Austin, Texas. Dorothy will be remembered as courageous yet gentle and a selfless, loving sister, wife, mom, grandmother, and friend. She embraced her extended family including: stepsons, William Duvall, Jr., Mike Duvall (deceased), and Jon Duvall; step-granddaughters, Jessica, Kristen and her daughter, Hope; JenSee Moorman, a UCA international student when they met, now wife of Carrey Moorman and mother of Isaac and Sebastian of Melbourne, Fla.; and Mary Ann Posadas, a Mayflower neighbor when they met, and wife of Juan Posadas and mother of Anthony and Crystal. For family and friends a memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 at 4 p.m. CT at St Peter's Episcopal Church, 925 Mitchell St. Conway, Ark. 72034. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred for St. Peter's (Episcopal) Food Pantry.