Delena Gant Duke

Delena Gant Duke of Magnolia, Ark. was called home to be with the Lord on Sept. 29, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Alma McBride of Havana, Ark; three brothers, Robert Dodd, Guinn McBride, and LaWayne McBride, her first husband, Hilton Gant of Nashville, Ark;, second husband, Albert Duke of Magnolia, Ark., and her son, Kevin Gant of Nashville. Her survivors include her sister, Dolores McBride, son, Keith Gant (Janet), grandchildren, Matthew Gant (Adele) and Rachel Gant Newman (Paul), great-grandchildren Serenity and Keegan Gant and Charlee Newman, and a number of nephews and nieces, step-sons and step-grandchildren. Delena was born in Havana, Ark. on Dec. 31, 1926. As a teenager she was crowned queen of Yell County. She graduated from Havana High School in 1945 and was class valedictorian. Immediately after graduation she went to Washington, D.C. and worked for the summer across the street from the White House. In 1949 she graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics. She then taught Home Economics at Mansfield High School until her marriage to Hilton Gant of Greenwood in 1950. They settled in Nashville, Ark. where she lived through 1984. In all their years together they never once spoke an unkind word or with a raised voice to each other. God was always the center of her life. In her 35 years at Nashville she was a member of the Sunset Church of Christ, where she was extremely active and hard-working in the children's Bible school program as a teacher and supervisor. Future preachers, missionaries, and elders heard many Bible stories as children at her feet. She was also a popular speaker at area-wide teacher training workshops. In 1980-81 Delena exhibited great faith and strength when, over about a year's time, she had to face the loss of her mother, father, younger son, and husband. In 1984 she married Albert Duke and moved to Magnolia, where she spent her remaining years. There she was a member of the Jackson St. Church of Christ, where she was well known and loved as a friend and helper to many who were less fortunate or in need. She was also a generous supporter of good works; many orphans, starving children, and missionaries were blessed by her. All who knew her remember her as being so full of life and friendliness, yet with a gentle spirit. She will be greatly missed but forever remembered. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Bailey Funeral Home in Magnolia. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 12 noon at the Jackson St. Church of Christ with Brian Mickey officiating. A graveside service will follow at 4:30 pm at Restland Memorial Park in Nashville, Ark. under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Magnolia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent to: Children's Home of Paragould, 5515 Old Walcott Rd., Paragould, Ark. 72450. Sign our online registry at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.