Velma Ruth Stacy

VELMA RUTH "RICKI" DUKE STACY, age 85, of Jacksonville, Ark., went to be with her Lord on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. She was born March 15, 1931 to the late Martin E. Duke and Stella V. Tate Duke. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lydia Belle Duke, Riley R. Duke, Hazel Duke Billington, Saundra Duke Presley and two grandchildren. She graduated Sikeston High in 1949 and worked for SHS in the 1970's, in the 1980's she worked for Rose Law Firm until her retirement. Then she gave her life to volunteer work with Fellowship Internationals helping teach English as a second language. She loved her church, Bible study group, choir and the International friends she made from around the world. She adored taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved people and especially her new found friends at the Jacksonville Towers. A debt of gratitude goes to her Hospice Caregivers and to her daughter, Rhonda who moved from Oklahoma to unselfishly care for our mom on a full time basis. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Stacy McAlister of Jacksonville, Ark; Phillip M. Stacy, of San Diego, Calif; and Rhonda G. Glossic of Jacksonville, Ark; four brothers; Buddy Duke of Paducah, Ky.; Frank Duke of Redmond, Ore.: Don Duke of Jackson, Mo., and Bob Duke of Stillwater, Okla.; one sister Joyce Duke Cowan of Terre Haute, Ind., 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Little Rock. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, Mo., with interment to follow in Dogwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Fellowship Internationals c/o Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.