Evelyn Cogburn Duke

Evelyn Cogburn Duke was taken by God to live in heaven on Thursday, July 28, 2011. She had been a resident of the Montgomery County Nursing Home since 2003. Evelyn was born October 23, 1920 at Black Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of John H. and Ida Loudermilk Cogburn. She was married to Arley M. Duke on December 5, 1934 at Norman, Arkansas. For many years she was an employee of the Food Center in Malvern. Later she worked for the Department of Pollution Control and Ecology for the state of Arkansas. Mrs. Duke's primary focus all of her life was her family. The most important thing which she taught her children and grandchildren was to love one another. Her devotion to her family stands as a great legacy. She was a very gifted, multi-talented lady. She made beautiful outfits for her children to wear and lovely quilts for her grandchildren. Evelyn was a wonderful cook and was especially well-known for her delicious chicken and dressing. Her yard was always a showplace with gorgeous roses, flowers, and ferns. Mrs. Duke was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Malvern. She loved to sing, especially gospel music. In past years she served as president of the Montgomery County Singing Club and also the Hot Spring County Singing Club. Mrs. Duke is survived by her daughter, Janie Duke White of Bryant, Arkansas; her son, Gary and Evonne Duke of Collierville, Tennessee; six grandchildren: Susan and John McGee, Paul and Angela White of Benton, Arkansas; Arlon and Ginger Duke of Collierville, Tennessee; Anton and Kristin Duke of Bryant, Arkansas; Angela Duke Martin of Collierville, Tennessee; Mark and Julie White of Bryant, Arkansas; 13 great-grandchildren: MacKenzie, Ashton, and Blaklee Martin; Zachary and Trent White; Jeremy and Justin McGee; Emily, Ashley, and Katie Duke; Laney White; Caroline and Joshua Duke; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, four sisters, two brothers and her husband. A celebration of Mrs. Duke's life is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, at 10 a.m. at Atkinson Funeral Home Chapel in Malvern, with visitation being held Friday evening, August 5th, from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Montgomery County, Arkansas at 3 p.m. August 6th.